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MEMORIALS 



i)/ 



CONCERNING 



DECEASED FRIENDS: 



MEMBERS 



PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
friends' book store, no. 304 arch street. 

1869. 










\» 



/ 



^v? 



CONTENTS. 



sk 







Pages. 


CHRISTOPHER HEALY, 




5 


ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 








13 


STEPHEN GRELLET, . 








24 


HANNAH RHOADS, . 








42 


ELIZABETH PITFIELJ), 








55 


H. REGINA^SHOBER. . 








65 


JAMES EMLEN. 








75 


ELIZABETH EVANS. . 








87 


WILLIAM EVANS, 








98 


HANNAH GIBBONS- , 








' 118 



M E M K I A L S 



CONCERNING 



DECEASED FRIENDS. 



A Testimony of Falls 3Ionthly Meeting^ m Bucks 
County^ Pennsylvania^ eoneernifig our friend 
Christopher Healy. 

When those are removed from among us who 
have been called and qualified by the Great Head 
to fill conspicuous places in His Church, and who, 
through the obedience of faith, have endured to 
the end, and laid down their heads in peace, we 
believe it profitable that the lives of such be re- 
corded, that posterity may be benefited, and the 
efficacy of Divine Grace exalted. Being sensi- 
ble that our dear friend was of that number, we 
feel engaged to preserve a Memorial concerning 
him — he having been a member of this meeting 
for more than thirty years. 

He was born at East Greenwich in the State 
of Rhode Island, the 8th day of the Tenth month, 



6 CHRISTOPHER HEALY. 

in the year 1773. His parents^ at that time and 
for many years after, were not in connection 
with Friends, and did not sufficiently see the 
necessity of duly restraining their son, but allow- 
ed him to participate in many of the customary 
but hurtful amusements of the day, of which 
he was fond, and partook of their dissipating 
effects. 

Tn his Memorandums he says ; " Before I was 
eleven years old, I often felt the judgment of 
the Lord upon me for disobedience to the secret 
intimations of grace and truth, manifested in my 
heart ; which light did teach me what I should 
do, and what I should leave undone ; and when 
I felt the judgment of God in my heart for sin 
and disobedience, I promised amendment of life. 

" About the fourteenth year of my age I first 
heard of the people called Quakers, and had an 
opportunity of reading Sewell's History, which 
set forth how patiently they gave up their lives 
for Christ Jesus's sake, their ever living Re- 
deemer. These affecting circumstances made a 
deep impression on my mind in those days, and 
I desired to be like unto them." 

" About this time I had many solitary walks 
both by night and by day, wherein I saw my 
situation, and was clearly convinced by the divine 
light in my heart, that I was a daily transgi'es- 



CHRISTOPHER HEALY. 7 

sor, and that if I continued therein my portion 
would be with the miserable ; and I often renew- 
ed my former promise of amendment of life ; but 
not getting to the true watch tower^ I was easily 
led astray by the enemy of my soul ; but after 
renewing my covenant with my merciful Lord^ I 
often had great peace of mind. 

"In the sixteenth year of my age, I was very 
much awakened to my lost and undone condi- 
tion, and fervently besought the Lord to look 
down upon me, and help me; and in this distress 
of mind I promised to obey Him in all his re- 
quirings, however in the cross ; and was soon 
made sensible it was my duty to use the plain 
Scripture language, and to have my clothes made 
plain ; and expecting to be derided on these ac- 
counts, it greatly humbled me ; but He who 
made me sensible of my duty, strengthened me 
to perform the same, in which I found great in- 
ward peace, and He enabled me to bless His 
holy name. 

"About the nineteenth year of my age, I re- 
quested to be received into membership with 
Friends ; which, after the usual proceeding in 
such cases, was granted : and I felt favoured 
that my lot was cast among a people whom the 
Lord had raised up, to show forth His praise, and 

found a necessity laid upon me to become a dili- 
1* 



8 CHBISTOPHEH HEALY. 

gent attender of meetingwS, both for worship and 
discipline." 

At a later period he says ; I often sought 
the Lord, when alone, for his counsel, and He 
was graciously pleased to manifest His will to 
ine, and made me sensible that if I was faithful 
to divine manifestation in my own mind, I 
should be called to declare to others what the 
Lord had done for me." 

As he submitted to the baptism of the Holy 
Ghost and fire, and endured the turning and 
overturning of the Lord's hand upon him, he 
was called to declare to others the way of life 
and salvation, and how the Lord by his mighty 
power had delivered his life from the destroyer 
and his soul from the pit. His first public ap- 
pearance was in the tw^enty-eighth year of his 
age, at the lower meeting, South Kingstown. 

To use his own language ; " I was led again 
and again into Jordan, yea, to the very bottom 
thereof, and as I endured the judgments of the 
Lord, I was enabled to bring up stones of memo- 
rial from thence." 

Much of his time for a number of years, when 
at home, was spent in teaching school. Having 
many children under his care, he was concerned 
for their spiritual welfare, as well as for their 



CHKISTOPHER HEALY. 9 

advancement in the necessary branches of school 
learning. 

Being in good measure brought into obedi- 
ence unto, and made passive in the hand of 
the heavenly Potter^ he grew in grace and in 
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ; and was called to travel abroad in His 
work and service in the Churches, wherein he 
visited most of the meetings on this continent. 
In the year 1831, with the concurrence of his 
Friends, he embarked on a religious visit to 
Friends in Great Britain and Ireland, wherein he 
laboured about a year, being much given up to 
spend and be spent for the increase and spread 
of the kingdom of his dear Redeemer. 

In two of his journeys on this continent, he 
was drawn in the love of the gospel, to have 
meetings among those down-trodden and injured 
people, remnants of some of the tribes of the 
Aborigines of this country; and also with the 
slave-holders and slaves in some of the Southern 
States ; in the accomplishment of which he says, 
" peace of mind was afforded in an eminent de- 
gree." 

Being made a minister according to the gift of 
the grace of God given unto him by " the effec- 
tual working of His power," he studied to show 
himself approved unto God, a workman that need- 



10 CHRISTOPHER HEALY. 

eth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word 
of Truth. 

As a watchman on the walls of our Zion, he 
was enabled to detect doctrines brought in by 
false brethren, and to warn the flock against their 
reception, bearing an uncompromising testimony 
against them, and was a faithful and zealous ad- 
vocate for the doctrines of primitive Christianity 
in their fulness, as revived and upheld by our 
early predecessors in profession. 

Knowing, from living experience, that the 
kingdom of the Redeemer of men is not of this 
world, his heart was often engaged to counsel 
others to beware of its language, its customs, 
fashions, follies, and delusive pleasures, and to 
bring them into the practice of primitive simpli- 
city and plainness. 

He was an encourager of others in the atten- 
dance of religious meetings, both by precept and 
example, being diligent therein himself; and was 
zealously concerned for the maintenance of good 
order and discipline in the Church. 

On the 8th day of the Fourth month, 1851, 
he was taken ill with his last sickness, which con- 
tinued upw^ards of five weeks, during which time 
he uttered many w^eighty expressions, and gave 
comfortable evidence that the Captain of his sal- 
vation did not forsake him in this last dispensa- 



GHRIBTOPHKR HEALY. H 

tion, but did support and sustain his soul in a 
very consolatory manner. A few of his expres- 
sions may suffice to show the peaceful evidence 
granted him. 

On the 22d of the Fourth month he said : " Oh, 
if I can but have patience and pass away ! I do 
not think I see anything in my way ; all seems 
well. What a favor to be an inhabitant of that 
city, that needeth not the light of the sun, nor of 
the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of the Lord 
doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light there- 
of." 

Again, on the 25th : " What a consolation it 
is to me that I can say at such a time as this, 
that I feel no condemnation ; everything looks 
pleasant ; yes, as clear and as bright as the light. 
I have that hope which is as an anchor to the 
soul, both sure and steadfast, and entereth into 
that within the vail, whither our Forerunner has 
gone." 

On the 6th of the Fifth month, he expressed 
thus : " Oh Lord, thou art good and kind to thy 
truly exercised children; thou hast been my 
stay and staff through my pilgrimage, and con- 
tinues to be, to the latest period of my life." 

Throughout the progress of his indisposition, 
he was remarkably preserved in a comfortable, 
waiting state, as far as related to the things 



12 CHRISTOPHER HEALY. 

which belonged to his own peace, but his mind 
was much exercised on account of others. He 
travailed abundantly in spirit for the prosperity 
of Zion. The welfare of our Society seemed al- 
most constantly to be mingled with his best feel- 
ings, and his fervent intercessions often arose to 
the Father of Mercies, that it might be preserved 
upon its original foundation, and that He would 
spare his people, and give not his heritage to re- 
proach. 

As the period of his dissolution drew near, it 
was manifest that his spirit continued to enjoy 
a refreshing stream of divine consolation, but 
owing to great exhaustion and feebleness of arti- 
culation, but little could be gathered, except the 
frequent naming of his Maker, and a few detach- 
ed sentences, such as ^' How good ;" '' How com- 
fortable ;" '^ How sweet;" ^^ His glorious good 
presence;" '^ I love my friends," &c. 

On the 16th of the Fifth month he departed 
this life, in the 78th year of his age, having been 
a minister about fifty years. His close was calm 
and peaceful. His last words were, -^ Peace, 
peace. 

A concern had rested for years on his mind, 
to have his remains enclosed in a coffin of plain 
and simple appearance, being sensible that upon 
such occasions there was a growing departure 



ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 13 

from the simplicity of our forefathers. As the 
solemn period of his departure appeared to be 
drawing near^ the subject revived with weight, 
and he solemnly enjoined the faithful perform- 
ance of his wishes in this respect upon his friends. 
On the 19th his remains were interred in 
Friends' burying ground at Falls, agreeably to 
his request, attended by a large collection of 
Friends and others ; after which a solemn meet- 
ing was held, to the edification of many minds. 



A Memorial of Haddonjield Monthly Meeting^ Neiv 
Jersey^ eoncerning Elizabeth L. Redman. 

From a belief that the recording of the life and 
death of those who have been as '' lights in the 
world," may have a beneficial effect upon survi- 
vors, especially the rising generation, we feel 
engaged to preserve a Memorial concerning our 
late beloved friend Elizabeth L. Redman. 

She was the daughter of James and Rebecca 
Hopkins, of Haddonfield, New Jersey, members 
of our religious Society, and w'as born the 14th 
day of the Fifth month, 1785. 



14 ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 

From early life this our beloved friend was 
remarkable for her loA^e of truth ; being so con- 
scientious from her childhood, that it has been 
remarked of her she was never known to tell an 
untruth. 

Possessing an active mind and social disposi- 
tion, she took much delight in the company of 
her friends and associates, and was drawn into 
gay and fashionable society ; and having a fond- 
ness for its vanities, she indulged her inclination 
for gaiety in dress and manners, and seemed 
rapidly advancing in the broad way which leads 
from peace, when her Heavenly Father saw meet 
to arrest her in this dangerous course, by a se- 
vere affliction, in the removal by death, of her 
valued mother, who w^as a religious woman, and 
had watched over her oftspring with tender so- 
licitude. 

This sudden and unexpected event occurred 
when our beloved friend was about twenty years 
of age ; and it had the effect to change all her 
views and feelings, as respects this world's en- 
joyments ; raising in her mind desires after more 
substantial treasure, durable riches and righte- 
ousness. 

She was now led into retirement and intro- 
version of mind ; gradually left her gay associ- 
ates, and showed a decided preference for the 



ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 15 

company of religious persons ; and by giving 
diligent heed to the light of Christ in the heart, 
was brought to see that many things in which 
she had been gratifying her carnal inclinations, 
were enticing her from the ^^ narrow path" which 
alone leads to everlasting life. 

Under these convictions of the Holy Spirit^ 
she was induced to surrender to Him, who re- 
quired the sacrifice, those things which had been 
alluring her thoughts and affections from the 
" one thing needful ;" that of taking up the daily 
cross, denying self, and walking humbly before 
the Lord. Feeling (as she acknowledged in 
after life) the force of the divine command, '- Put 
off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know 
what to do unto thee," she began, by little and 
little, to part with those superfluities, and to 
adopt in their stead a plain and sober attire. 
She was now diligent in the attendance of all 
our religious meetings, and manifested a deep 
concern to walk in the footsteps of the flock of 
the companions of Christ, bearing the cross and 
despising the shame. 

In the year 1807, she was united in marriage 
to our friend Thomas Redman, of this place. In 
her domestic department it may be truly said of 
her, that she obeyed the apostolic injunction^ 
'* Be not forgetful to entertain strangers," her 



■)(; ELIZABETH L. KEDMAN. 

doors and heart being ever open to receive such. 
She often remarked^ that to have it in her power 
to entertain the Lord's messengers, and those 
who were travelling in the service of Truth, was 
one of her greatest pleasures. 

She was a sincere sympathiser with the afflict- 
ed, always ready to relieve suffering humanity 
when it was in her power ; and her tender re- 
gard for the poor, and " him that had none to help 
him," manifested by personal attentions, and 
many other benevolent acts, now lives in the re- 
collection of not a few. 

The sweetness of her manners and the sincere 
expression of sympathy, from a heart overflow- 
ing with kindness and love, endeared her to all, 
but especially to such as were in any trouble ; 
for her visits were not superficial, but illustrative 
of the advice of the apostle, " Remember them 
that are in bonds, as bound with them, and them 
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also 
in the body." 

In the year 1815 she was greatly reduced by 
bodily indisposition, and also passed through much 
mental conflict, insomuch that self, and every 
thing that appertained to the creature, were so 
marred and prostrated, that she could say from 
experience with the apostle, '' In me, that is in 
my flesh, dwelleth no good tiling." 



ELIZABETH L. REDMAX. 17 

During this season of darkness and deep prov- 
ing, she remarked to a friend who was endea- 
vouring to strengthen her faith, I can say with 
Job, I feel as if I was " a brother to dragons, and 
a companion to owls." But in all this, the Lord 
was evidently at work, preparing her for future 
service in His cause and Church ; for as she after- 
wards related, it was during this memorable sea- 
son, she received the divine intimation, that she 
would have to tell unto others, by way of public 
testimony, what the Lord had done for her soul, 
and to praise His holy name. But such was her 
sense of the responsibility of the calling, and her 
fear of running without being sent, and thereby 
becoming a burthen to the " living in Jerusalem," 
that she shrunk from it, though continuing to 
walk in great circumspection, until about the year 
1831, when she yielded to the requisition, by 
bowing the knee, and lifting up her voice in so- 
lemn supplication in our religious meeting, to the 
tendering of many minds present ; after which 
she continued to appear, from time to time, in 
public testimony, and was acknowledged as a 
minister of the gospel by this Monthly Meeting 
in the Ninth month, 1832. 

She was firmly attached to the doctrines and 
testimonies of the gospel, as believed in by our 
religious Society from the beginning ; and whilst 



IQ ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 

she preached Christ crucified without the gates 
of Jerusalem, as the Saviour and Redeemer, and 
our Advocate with the Father, she also held up 
the necessity of submitting to his transforming 
power and grace in the heart, and of the guid- 
ance of his Holy Spirit to lead out of all evil 
into the blessed Truth, that thereby we may be- 
come new creatures ; enforcing and adorning the 
doctrine she preached, by her own example. 

She was often engaged in pleading with the 
youth, both in and out of meetings, to give up in 
the morning of life to serve the living God ; fre- 
quently declaring, '^ there is no joy to compare 
with the joy of God's salvation." On one occa- 
sion she thus expressed herself: ^^ The beloved 
youth are often the companions of my thoughts. 
Oh, the solicitude that I feel for their preserva- 
tion ! The world is alluring, Satan deceiving^ 
and unbelief invading them ! — potent foes to 
man s present and everlasting well being ! But 
how cheering amid all these temptations is the 
promise, ' My grace is sufficient for thee.' I 
greatly desire that each one of you may take 
heed to the grace of God that bringeth salvation, 
and which hath appeared to all men, teaching us, 
that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we 
should live soberly, righteously and godly in this 
present world." 



ELIZABETH L. REDMAX. 19 

In the year 1833 she was liberated by her 
monthly meeting, to attend the Yearly Meeting 
of Baltimore, and in 1836 that of Virginia. On 
her return from the latter an incident occurred 
which w^e think worthy to be inserted, in order 
to incite others to faithfulnesss. 

During the night, whilst lodging at the house 
of a friend in Baltimore, her mind was introduced 
into much exercise on account of an individual, 
whom three years previously, she had observed 
at an inn a few miles from that city. In the 
morning she felt that she could not with an easy 
mind proceed homeward without endeavoring to 
see him. She mentioned it to her companion, 
who inquired his name. She replied, "I know 
not his name, nor his home. I can only say that 
I saw^ him not far from this place ; but whether 
he was a traveller, or a resident there, is unknown 
to me. But I believe if w^e can see him, we 
shall find him in affliction." It being thought 
right to make the effort to discover him, it was 
mentioned to a Friend, with her description of 
the appearance of the individual, which was so 
striking that it was immediately believed to be 
that of a person well known as a slave dealer 
noted for great inhumanity. Inquiry w^as made 
for the man, and after much search it was ascer- 
tained that he resided in that city, near where 



20 ELIZABETH L. REDMA]S\ 

she was then lodging. She^ with her companions^ 
went to see him. He was confined to his cham- 
ber by indisposition. She at once recognized 
him, and, taking a seat beside him, sat for some 
time in profound stillness. He also sat with his 
eyes fixed upon her, in apparent amazement. 
She then addressed him in close but kind lan- 
guage, describing his condition as being desperate 
in the extreme; but said she believed the door 
of mercy was now open for him, if he would sub- 
mit to the terms of salvation ; after which she 
knelt and supplicated in a remarkable manner, 
interceding with the Father of Mercies, that, in 
the day of final retribution, the blood of none 
might be found upon him unrepented of. He 
was greatly broken by this appeal to the Throne 
of Grace, and tears flowed down his face abun- 
dantly. She then took kind leave of him, much 
to the relief of her own mind. He did not reco- 
ver from this indisposition, but after this inter- 
view became greatly humbled and changed. 

In 1839 she again attended Baltimore Yearly 
Meeting, and paid a religious visit to the families 
of Friends in that city. She was also several 
times engaged in visiting those within her own 
and some neighboring monthly meetings, a ser- 
vice for which she seemed peculiarly fitted, being 



ELIZABETH L. REDMA^S^. 21 

prepared, through many tribulations, to commu- 
nicate to such as were in affliction, a word of 
counsel or encouragement from what she had 
tasted, and her hands had handled of the word 

of life. 

She attended North Carolina Yearly Meeting 

in 1842. Some time after that period, a beloved 
and interesting daughter, who had long been af- 
flicted and much confined at home with paralytic 
affection, was removed by death. 

In the Spring of 1846, she attended New York 
Yearly Meeting, visiting also the alms-houses 
and prisons of that city. Being a woman of fer- 
vent piety, and having a sense of the exceeding 
sinfulness of sin, she was often led to visit the 
abodes of human wretchedness ; and as she de- 
pended on Him who called her to the work, her 
labours on these occasions were not wholly lost. 

In the fall of this year her husband deceased, 
after a few weeks illness ; and one month after 
his removal she was called on to part with a very 
hopeful son, who died almost instantaneously 
with a disease of the heart. 

About this time our beloved friend experienced 
much bodily suffering, and her health was such, 
that for several years she was mostly confined to 
the house : it was her lot also to endure a large 



22 ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 

portion of affliction from various causes. In allud- 
ing to some of those close trials she thus express- 
ed herself: ^^ What a favour it is^ when we can 
see an overruling Providence in such dispensa- 
tions as are permitted to come upon us, and to 
feel that it is in order to purify and make us fit 
for the Kingdom of Heaven. Oh ! I find it a 
great thing to become fully prepared for that 
abode, where nothing that is impure or unholy 
can ever enter." 

For some time before her death she did not go 
far from home, but was very diligent in attend- 
ing meetings, and also the houses of mourning on 
account of death, and at the time of burials ; 
often on these occasions lifting up her voice of 
warning to such as were assembled. 

The last year of her life her health was much 
improved; but on the I4th of Tenth month last 
she was taken ill with a bilious affection, succeed- 
ed by slight paralysis. 

Just before her illness, in conversation with 
her sister, she said, " I have had a large portion 
of suflering in this world, and also many bless- 
ings to be thankful for. I have partaken of bit- 
ter cups, but all my trials will end with my life." 
And during her sickness, which was of ten days' 
continuance, she seemed to have little to do but 
await her final change. AX one time she said, '' I 



ELIZABETH L. REDMAN. 23 

am unaware of the issue of the disorder, but 
whether I live or die all will be well." At ano- 
ther, " What a sweet peaceful calm I feel ! Oh ! 
how peaceful!" — Some time after, on being asked 
if she sujBfered pain, she replied, ^'Yes, great 
pain;" but added, with a sweet smile, " It is no- 
thing but the poor body that suffers. Oh, I feel 
so peaceful ; the prospect brightens the nearer I 
approach my everlasting home ; what a favour ! 
what a favour !" And again, " The everlasting 
arm is underneath." The last words she dis- 
tinctly uttered were, " Praise the Lord/' She 
then sank into a state of apparent unconscious= 
ness, and quietly breathed her last, the 24th 
day of the Tenth month, 1852, in the sixty= 
eighth year of her age. The end of the upright 
is peace. 



24 STEPHEN GRELLET. 

A Testimony of Burlington Monthly Meeting, JVew 
Jersey, held the 7th of Second month, 1856, concern- 
ing our beloved friend Stephen GtRELLET, deceased. 

''The grace of God that bringeth salvation 
hath appeared unto all men, teaching us, that 
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should 
live soberly, righteously and godly in this pre- 
sent world ; looking for that blessed hope and the 
glorious appearing of the great God, and our Sa- 
viour Jesus Christ ; who gave himself for us, 
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and 
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of 
good words." 

This Meeting is concerned to bear testimony 
to the blessed efficacy and all-sufficiency of this 
grace, as evinced in the experiences of our belov- 
ed friend Stephen Grellet, who thereby, without 
human instrumentality, was called with a high 
and holy calling, when he was in the darkness of 
unbelief, and living as it were without God in the 
world. 

He was born at Limoges in France, 2nd of 
Eleventh month, 1773, and was subjected to the 
snares attendant upon wealth, rank and luxury. 
He was trained in the observances of the Romish 
Church, and received a liberal education at a mil- 
itary college. 



.STEPHEN GRELLET. 25 

At the early age of seventeen he was chosen 
one of the king's body guard^ but although a sol- 
dier in times of extraordinary excitement^ he was 
preserved from ever taking human life, which ex- 
emption from blood-guiltiness was through many 
years, a cause of gratitude to Him who had re- 
served him for warfare in the army of the Lamb, 

On the breaking out of the French revolution, 
the whole family of Stephen Grellet were ex- 
posed to danger of their lives, and their estate 
was confiscated. His parents being sentenced to 
death wera actually taken out for execution, but 
were remanded to prison. Stephen Grellet and 
his brother being taken prisoners of war, were 
ordered to be shot, the completion of which sen- 
tence was each moment expected, when some 
sudden commotion gave them an opportunity to 
escape and they eventually found their way on 
board a ship bound to the West Indies, after a 
series of Providential deliverances, at one time 
actually brushing against soldiers, who, with 
fierce profanity, were declaring their bloody in- 
tentions respecting them. 

After being engaged in business for two years 
in Demarara, the brothers embarked for New 
York, where they landed in the spring of 1795, 
and proceeded to Newtown, on Long Island, Ste- 
phen Grellet being then twenty-two years of age. 



26 STKPH EX « ; H ELLET. 

His experiences about this time furnish a signal 
illustration of the blessed reality of the doctrine 
of the immediate and perceptible influences of the 
Holy Spirit : a doctrine to which he was ever 
after concerned to bear witness. It was alone 
by this powerful influence that he was awakened 
to a sense of his alienation from his Almighty 
Father and gracious Creator. Whilst walking 
alone in the evening twilight, he heard a voice 
sounding in his ears, " Eternity — Eternity — 
Eternity !" Struck with the awfulness of this 
voice, which was accompanied with a light that 
reached his soul and manifested to him his de= 
pravity, he criied out : " Surely if there is no 
God, there is a hell, and it is my just portion !" 
Retiring to his sleepless bed, he lay during the 
night, hoping that the Lord might again visit and 
bring consolation to his distressed mind. Seclud- 
ing himself from society, he continued for many 
days and nights in this waiting state. 

About this time, those dedicated disciples, De- 
borah Darby and Rebecca Young, having appoint- 
ed a meeting at Newtown, a young woman who 
spoke French, and who was of a seeking mind, 
invited Stephen Grellet and his brother to attend 
it, and afterwards to accompany ihese Friends to 
her father s house. During the silence of this 
meeting' his mind was introduced into a state of 



STEPHEN GEELLET. 27 

awful reverence, and he found that for which he 
had been seeking, revealed within him, the in- 
ward illumination and the inspeaking voice [of 
the Holy Spirit,] ministering the consolation for 
which his soul yearned. Thus the work was 
wholly the Lord's, to whom we ascribe the glory. 
After they had dined, a religious opportunity oc- 
curred. Stephen Grellet comprehended little that 
was communicated, till Deborah Darby was led to 
address herself particularly to him and his brother, 
when his spiritual understanding was so opened 
as to enable him to feel and to know what was 
said. She spoke as one acquainted with the 
whole course of his past life. 

Continuing to attend the small and silent 
meetings held at that town, he was at one of 
them brought to feel the weight of his past sins 
and transgressions in such a manner as to be 
introduced into the deepest distress. Earnest 
were his supplications that He whom he had 
pierced would speak peace to his soul ; when in 
the riches of His everlasting compassion and 
marvellous condescension, He was pleased to 
grant the request. His heart glowed with love 
and gratitude, and he thought that he must then 
proclaim to others what great things the Lord 
had done for him. He continued in this state of 

solemn prostration before the Most His;h, until 
3 



28 STEPHEN GEELLET. 

on raising his head he saw no one in the house 
but his brother^ who was also bathed in tears. 

Our dear friend was made a witness of the 
operations of the Spirit as a Reprover^ Teacher. 
Comforter and unerring Guide. Marvellous were 
the Lord's dealings with him from time to time, 
and though in silent brokenness of spirit he 
could magnify His gracious providence, yet his 
allegiance was closely proved ; for when a clear 
evidence was afforded that he would be called to 
the work of the gospel ministry, he sought to be 
excused, pleading his unworthiness, his inability, 
and his want of a knowledge of the English lan- 
guage. Very great were his distress and conflict 
before he yielded obedience to this awful requi- 
sition, but he was brought to feel that it was only 
in entire dedication of body, soul and spirit that 
he could be accepted, and fervent were his aspi- 
rations that he might be influenced by the Spirit 
of his Redeemer, humbly to draw near to the 
throne of Grace. 

Having removed to Philadelphia, his first ap- 
pearance in the public ministry was at the North- 
ern District Meeting in the First month, 1796. 
He continued in lowliness of mind, fearful of ex- 
ceeding in expression, the more so as he was not 
yet a member of our religious Society ; yet, in 
seasons of weakness and poverty he was thank- 



STEPHEJS" GRELLET, 29 

Till in finding the Lord to be a God near at hand^ 
and he notes at this time that ; '' upon serious 
inquiries in my mind^ I find that truly I love 
Him. and am ready to forsake all in obedience 
to His divine requirings : and I have prayed 
earnestly that I may be favored with a true dis- 
cernment of His will and an understanding of His 
still small voice." On the 5 th of the Eighth month, 
he wrote : " I have had this morning my 
mind tenderly turned towards the Lord, and have 
participated early in the breaking of spiritual 
bread, the heavenly manna. Oh ! what sweet- 
ness to be in the presence of the Lord — to be in 
an awful and solemn silence before Him. What 
an instructive school is His ! there is no teacher 
like Him. In His presence we see our faults, 
past and present, and the means to avoid them. 
He opens to us His mysteries, and brings joy, 
peace and quietness into our minds, and good- 
will for all our fellow creatures. Lord, let me 
more often approach the throne of thy Grace. 
Let me become thy true disciple. Let me grow 
in godliness and charity. Oh, clothe me with 
the white garment, and let me experience that 
my name is written in the Lamb's book." 

In the Ninth month of this year he was re- 
ceived into membership, and notwithstanding the 
tenderness and sympathy of Friends, his sense 



30 STEPHEN GRELLET. 

of imworthiness was great, of which the accuser 
of the brethren taking advantage, endeavored to 
persuade him that in speaking in the name of his 
Divine Master, he had sinned against the Holy 
Ghost. This brought him very low. But as he 
was returning in anguish of spirit from an even- 
ing meeting in which he had been disobedient, he 
was made to behove that the judgments of an 
offended God w^ould stand in array against him 
if he did not wholly resign himself to the work 
whereunto he had been called. Being by the 
Lord's strength enabled to resign his own will, 
the divine command when again given, was at- 
tended with such evidence, that he dared not 
resist. 

In reliance upon his inward Teacher he was 
required to rise, without knowing what would be 
given him to express, and having uttered a sen- 
tence, to wait in reverent humility for further 
opening. 

In the Seventh month of 1797, he went with 
Joseph Clark into New Jersey, to distribute Tes- 
taments and rehgious books among the poorer 
classes of the inhabitants about the sea shore, and 
he was careful to obtain the unity of his friends 
at home (ministers and elders,) before engaging 
therein. " I proceeded in it,'' he notes, " with 
much lowliness of spirit, keeping close to my 



STEPHEN GRELLET. 81 

Heavenly Guide. He so condescended that on 
my coming into a family, it seemed as if I could 
read at once their state, and a feeling of Divine 
love clothing me, enabled me to communicate my 
concern for them, so as in many instances to reach 
the witness for Truth in them. Many of these 
opportunities were favored seasons, and proved 
visitations of Divine love and mercy to the peo- 
ple." 

H.e was acknowledged as a minister in the 
Third month, 1798, about which time he notes : 
" I feel led to a renewal of covenant on this sol- 
emn occasion, that I may increase in watchful- 
ness, humility, obedience and dedication of heart, 
so that, at all times, I may by my conduct 
evince whose servant I am. Oh ! may I never 
lose sight of the pit from whence I have been 
dug, or the rock from whence I have been hewn ! 
May I ever look at my steps lest I fall and bring 
a wound upon the Truth. May my heart be 
more and more single and low before the Lord ! 
I have often to experience that I am nothing of 
myself. May I never presume to move without 
feeling the Spirit of Truth going before me." 

In this and the following three years he trav- 
elled with certificates of the unity of Friends in. 

the service of his Divine Master, being, through 
3- 



32 STEPHEN GRELLET. 

the Lord's continued mercy, preserved in humility 
before Him. 

During the prevalence of yellow fever in 
Philadelphia in 1798, Stephen Grellet was un- 
wearied in his attentions to the sick, ministering 
to their emergencies. He became ill with the 
prevailing malady, all prospect of his recovery 
was relinquished, and he turned him to the wall 
to die, with the peace of God in his soul, and 
desiring to depart and to be with Jesus. At this 
moment it was distinctly revealed to him that he 
would yet have to proclaim the Gospel of the 
dear Son of God in the North, the South, the 
East and the West. Although distressed at the 
thought of returning to the world, a wiUingness 
was wrought in him to go whithersoever his 
Divine Leader should require, and the prayer. of 
faith was raised that when again brought to the 
near prospect of death he might experience the 
same peace and the same glorious prospects. 

Soon after this, he engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness in New York, but lived so loose from the 
world as to be ready for the services into which 
he was called ; and in the few years immediately 
succeeding, he travelled as a minister over most 
parts of this nation and in Canada. 

In the year 1804 he was married to our beloved 
friend, Rebecca, daughter of Isaac Collins. 



STEPHEN GRELLET. 33 

He four times visited Europe, and was enabled 
to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ in 
the various European nations. The first of these 
voyages was undertaken in the Sixth months 
1807, when he encountered a storm of great 
violence, in which he was ''' brought in humble 
resignation to bow before Him w^ho holds the 
winds in his fists, who maketh the clouds His 
chariot, and rideth on the wings of the wind, who 
can rebuke the winds and the sea, and make a 
great calm." 

At this time he wTote as follows : " my soul 
can never enough praise and magnify His holy 
name for His divine help, fulfilling His most 
gracious promise to be a shield, a rock, a strength, 
a sure hiding place. The promise has been re- 
newed to my poor drooping soul, that if I keep 
near Him in humihty and dependence, He will 
be near me in the midst of the many storms that 
I may expect to encounter in the course of suc- 
ceeding exercises, as He has been pleased to keep 
me in a great degree of calmness and resignation 
above the raging elements, so as to sing His song 
of ^ great and marvellous are Thy works.' Sweet, 
safe retreat is the Lord's sanctuary — the holy 
enclosure. Therein, as with Noah in the ark, 
storms cannot prevail." 

The aggregate time occupied in his European 



34 STEPHEN GRELLET. 

journeys was nearly ten years, and his labors 
were extensive and his experiences remarkable, 
being led to plead as an ambassador for Christ, 
with kings and rulers, the labor was blessed to 
some of these and their families, as well as to 
many in more obscure stations. His way was 
wonderfully made through dangers and difficul- 
ties, and in commemoration of the faithful deal- 
ings of the Most High with those who forsake 
all things at His requiring, we feel bound to re- 
cord a few instances. At one time, when, un- 
known to himself, he was regarded as a political 
spy, and his track watched by the emissaries of 
a jealous monarchy, he felt a stop in his mind, 
and by close attention to the Hand which alone 
could lead him in safety, his feet, without appa- 
rent motive, were turned into an unexpected path, 
and thus was avoided a pursuit full of danger, 
but of which he was then and for many years ig- 
norant. On another occasion, when embarking 
on ship-board under feelings of discouragement, 
the language of the inspeaking Word to him was : 
" Now I am going to magnify my Name before 
thee." The sea becoming very tempestuous, 
the waves on one side mountain high, on the other 
a deep abyss, our friend, whilst others were in 
terror, felt the assurance to be realized. During 
the wars of Napoleon, our friend was often 



STEPHEN GRELLET. 35 

brought into perilous proximity with the soldiery, 
but being never ashamed of the garb and manner 
of a Quaker, and never using any subterfuge, he 
was respected and allowed to pass unmolested. 
It being his lot to travel in the rear of the allied 
army, which quartered by night in the towns and 
villages, our friend for many weeks pursued his 
journey in the night, holding meetings by day 
in the towns just OA^acuated by the soldiery. 
The people in their distressed circumstances were 
glad to seek for consolation by going in throngs 
to these religious assemblies. A fearful pesti- 
lence attended the course of the army, and many 
persons to whom he was led to proclaim the way 
of life and salvation, were found dead on the fol- 
lowing day. Thus a faithful Creator, in the 
midst of his judgments remembering mercy, ex- 
tended to the people in their extremity, the 
messages of saving love and grace, and carried 
His messenger in safety through scenes of varied 
danger. 

It was his practice to take his meals at the 
hotels, where he frequently met with the military 
officers, and he found it required of him at such 
times to keep on his hat. This singularity gave 
rise to questions and opened his way to explain 
to them the objects of his peaceable mission, and 



c 



36 STEPHEN GBELLET. 

the views of the christian Society of which he 
was a member. 

Ill various parts of Europe he visited the con- 
victs in prison^ and was frequentl}^ exercised in 
^reat love for the souls of those who were con- 
demned to die. To the Jews, in different cities 
and in settlements of their own, he preached the 
outward advent and the spiritual appearance of 
Him of whom Moses in the law, and the Pro- 
phets did write. In many parts he found seek- 
ing people, whom the Lord had favored with a 
perception of spiritual worship^ and who had 
adopted views in some respects analogous to 
those of Friends. In Norway he was instrumen- 
tal in the establishment of Meetings for Disci- 
pline, and in Russia, he and his fellow-laborer 
William Allen, introduced a book of selections 
from the Holy Scriptures, which being, by im- 
perial law, adopted in their schools, was still 
retained in use in after years when the Bible was 
interdicted. In 1816 he made a religious visit 
to the Island of Hayti. In 1S23 he became a 
member of this Monthly Meeting. 

Subsequent to his last return from Europe, 
which was in 1834, he labored within the limits 
of the different Yearly Meetings on this conti- 
nent. In these extensive and arduous journeys 



STEPHEN GRELLET. 37 

he was careful not to go forth except as his steps 
were ordered of the Lord. 

In conductmg his temporal affairs he was scru- 
pulously just and exemplary, desiring to give no 
offence in anything, that the ministry be not 
blamed ; and having received freely the heavenly 
gift, he was careful to make the Gospel of Christ 
without charge. He was diligent in the daily 
perusal of the Holy Scriptures, in which he had 
never read until he was awakened by the Spirit 
which gave them forth, and as he progressed in 
his perusal of them, their spiritual meaning was 
opened to his understanding, which was enhght- 
ened to perceive that liberty wherewith Christ 
hath made his people free from the necessity of 
dependence upon forms and ceremonial observan- 
ces. And in his public labors these precious 
writings were opened, passages both from the 
Old and New Testament being brought into view 
with freshness of life, in elucidation of the glo- 
rious plan of Redemption, and of the blessedness 
of the unspeakable gift of Him, w^ho, having 
finished his woik in the prepared body, would 
not leave his faithful followers comfortless. 

His ministry was weighty, and characterized 
by great simplicity. He w^as led to dwell on the 
sinfulness of sin, the uncertainty of life, the 
awfulness of eternity and the marvellous love and 



38 STEPHEN GRELLET. 

mercy of Him who tasted death for all men, that 
all might live, and whose light hath shined in 
every heart; exhorting the people, frequently 
with tears, that they should not neglect so great 
salvation. He was a minister of consolation to 
the sincere in heart and a nursing father to the 
babes in Christ. 

In his relations as husband, parent and friend, 
his tenderness and fidelity w^ere instructive. 
Seeming to forget his own sufferings in the griefs 
of others, he went so long as health permitted, 
from house to house, and with humility imparting 
consolation and counsel. Even at his home he 
was careful to wait on his ministry, and to be 
very tender to the touches of the heavenly 
Monitor ; so that persons who visited him were 
sensible of the weightiness of his spirit, and often 
made partakers of the precious overshadowing 
which the human will cannot command. 

In the last fourteen years of his life he was 
subject to frequent attacks of illness, accompanied 
with excruciating physical anguish, which he was 
enabled to bear with patience and resignation, 
often saying that it was his desire to glorify 
God, and He gave him the opportunity to do it 
in suffering. During spasms of agony affecting 
to behold, and which sometimes for many hours 
together, baffled medical skill, he was not known 



STEPHEN GEELLET. 39 

to express a word of complaint, and the utter- 
ance which the extremity of anguish elicited 
took the form of prayer or praise : " Dearest 
Father, be with thy servant !'' " Though He slay 
me, yet will I trust in Him !" " Good is the 
Lord !" Patiently " looking unto Jesus/' he re- 
ferred touchingly to his Redeemer's greater 
sufferings. No ejaculation for ease escaped him, 
but only for ability to magnify the name of his 
gracious Lord and Saviour, chiefly desiring the 
completion in himself of his blessed Master's will, 
often expressing it to be his sanctification, and 
repeatedly appealing to those about him whether 
they could not unite with him in the ascription 
of gratitude and praise to Him who was with 
him in the furnace and whose everlasting arms 
were underneath. '' I do not complain," he said 
on such an occasion when his friends were weep- 
ing beside him, ^'Whom the Lord loveth. He 
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He 
receiveth. If we had not chastening we should 
be bastards and not sons." 

Although his sickness repeatedly appeared 
likely to be unto death, he was again and again 
raised up to testify of the Divine goodness, and 
whenever able to do so, he was diligent in the 
attendance of religious meetings, allowing neither 
inclemency of weather nor physical pain to in- 



40 STEPHEN GRELLET. 

(luce him to seek his own ease in preference to 
the service of Him who had redeemed his life 
from destruction and to whora^ with full purpose 
of heart, he had dedicated his days. We believe 
it may be recorded that whilst his outward man 
failed, the inward was renewed day by day. 

Within the last few months, although his 
strength was evidently yielding, he was rarely 
absent from our meetings either for worship or 
discipline, his last attendance being at our Month- 
ly Meeting eight days before his decease. On 
this occasion he spoke on " the joy of believing," 
and participated in the business, but was obliged 
to withdraw before the adjournment. He was 
from this time confined to the house in extreme 
physical anguish, in the midst of which he re- 
quested that his friends might be informed that 
though tribulation abounded, consolation did 
much more abound. Remarking upon his re- 
maining strength of pulse, and that he might yet 
have much to suffer, he added : " I desire not 
only to do so submissively but cheerfully. These 
sufferings are indeed agonizing, but in this my 
hour of extremity, my Heavenly Father has not 
forsaken me but is comforting me. I have had 
to advocate his cause,- and now I am called to 
serve by patiently suffering, and to glorify Him 
even in the fires.'' His humility and love of ilio 



STEPHEN GKELLET. 41 

cause of Truth were at this deeply afflictive period 
of his experience remarkably evidenced^, his fear 
being lest, during these paroxysms, any thing 
should escape from him or should occur to bring 
a shade upon it or to weaken his testimony to 
the power and efficacy of Divine Grace to 
strengthen the recipient thereof to bear and to 
suffer in a manner becoming a Christian. In 
child-like simplicity he requested some who were 
with him, to intercede as ability might be afford- 
cd, for his preservation from any thing calculated 
to hurt the Cause. Being asked how he felt, he 
simply answered : ^^My dear Master is very good 
to me." Again : ^' I cannot think that I shall be 
forsaken. He that careth for the sparrows will 
surely remember me." " My heart and my 
strength faileth, but," — and an expressive smile 
told his adoption of the remainder of the text 
which he had recited a short time previous. In 
a severe spasm, he said : " Do not be discouraged 
—it is only the flesh." The 12th and 13th of 
Eleventh month were days of almost constant 
agony, but each groan was turned into a prayer 
ending with " not my will but Thine be done." 
Towards evening on the 14th he petitioned for a 
mitigation of suffering, if consistent with his 
Heavenly Father's will, very soon after which 
the pain finally ceased, and whilst he took no 



42 IIANl^AII RHOADS. 

notice of external things, his reverent countenance 
indicated a peaceful communion in the spiritual 
life. He slept sweetly much of the following 
day, and a little before noon on Sixth-day the 
16th of Eleventh month, 1855, without any 
struggle, Avith his family around him, in the 
prevalence of a peaceful and profound solemnity, 
his mortal life ceased. 



Mejnorial of Chester Monthly 3Ieeting^ Pennsylvania^ 
concerning Hannah Rhoads, deceased. 

From the lively remembrance we have of the 
religious services and exemplary Christian walk 
of our late beloved friend Hannah Rhoads, we 
are engaged to give forth a Memorial concerning 
her, in order to show the blessed effects of early 
submission to the transforming power of the Holy 
Spirit, which made her what she was, and to in- 
cite survivors to follow in her self-denying, watch- 
ful path, as she followed Christ; that so they 
also may become prepared to serve their genera- 
tion according to the will of God, and receive 
the crown of everlasting life. 

She was the daughter of Jonathan and Hannah 
Evans, late of the Cit}^ of Philadelphia, and was 
born there the 7th of the Ninth month, 1793. 



HANXAH RHUADS. -tS 

Possessing much vivacity of disposition, a 
vigorous intellect, and an affectionate heart, 
combined with attractive manners, she was a 
pleasing companion, and was often drawn into 
the levity and vain conversation to which un- 
watchful youth are liable. 

When about seventeen years of age, she was 
mercifully favored with an effectual visitation of 
the Light of Christ, revealing her lost condition, 
setting her sins in order before her, and opening 
the way of salvation by sincere repentance and 
amendment of life, and living faith in our Lord 
Jesus Christ, as the crucified and risen Saviour. 

Deep w^ere the humiliation and self-condemna- 
tion into which she was brought, and long and 
earnestly did she mourn, and seek for an assurance 
of pardon and reconciliation to her Heavenly Fa- 
ther ; which at length she was permitted to ex- 
perience, by being enabled to look in faith to the 
Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the 
world. 

Having set her face heavenward, there was 
no turning back to '^ that country from whence 
she came out;" but taking up her cross daily, 
and following the path of duty as it was marked 
out by the Holy Spirit, she was made an exam- 
ple of remarkable self-denial and watchfulness. 

In conversation her w^ords were few and seasoned 
4- 



44 HANNAH KHOADS. 

with grace, and she felt constrained to observe 
plainness and simplicity in her attke, language 
and demeanor. Patiently and steadily abiding 
under the Lord's forming hand, she grew in re- 
ligious experience and stability, and became 
qualified for usefulness in the Church. 

In the twenty-fourth year of her age, being 
entrusted wdth some important services in relig- 
ious Society, she made the following memoran- 
dum, viz : " I feel that a narrow search into my 
own heart is necessary. I cannot know what 
offensive thing may be lurking there, unless it is 
made known by the light of Truth inwardly re- 
vealed. The heart of unregenerate man is de- 
ceitful above all things, and desperately wicked ; 
who can know it ? If we seek, and knock, and 
ask aright, it will be opened to us ; and the gra- 
cious promise is. The Lord is a rewarder of all 
them that diligently seek Him. We may think 
that we are desirous of doing something for the 
good cause, and even willing to serve him faith- 
fully, but it is necessary first to be engaged 
diligently to seek to know and feel Him in our 
own hearts, and what his blessed will concerning 
us is." 

In 1818 she was married to our late beloved 
friend Joseph Rhoads, and removed to his resi- 
dence at Marple, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, 



HAXNAH RHOADS. 45 

which continued to be her home for nearly forty- 
four years ; during all which time she was a 
member of this Monthly Meeting. She was a 
true help-meet to her husband, aiding and en- 
couraging him in the various social and religious 
duties which devalved upon him. They earnestly 
cndeaA^ored by watching unto prayer, to seek for 
Divine ability to train up their offspring in the 
fear of the Lord, to walk worthy of their voca- 
tion as servants of Christ ; to be fruitful in every 
good work, and " to increase in the knowledge 
of God." They were careful to practise a liberal 
hospitality, to share their outward blessings with 
those in less favored circumstances, and kindly 
to remember the poor and afflicted as children of 
the same gracious Father. 

In conversation they were especially guarded 
not only to avoid speaking in a manner deroga- 
tory to others, but to discountenance every thing 
of the kind in their family ; and while far from 
extenuating evil, to cultivate towards all the 
spirit of Christian love and forbearance. 

In the attendance of religious meetings she was 
diligent, not allowing the pressure of outward 
affairs or the desire of present ease to prevent 
her. Her reverent deportment and the deep in- 
troversion of her spirit in humble waiting upon 
the Lord, Avere instructive and edifying ; showing 



4(i HAKNAH KHOADIS. 

that her mind was gathered into holy quietude, 
and enabled to worship her God and Saviour in 
spirit and in Truth. 

Having passed through many deep and hum- 
bling baptisms, and experienced the work of prepa- 
ration to be carried on in her soul, until the 
Lord's time was fully come, she was called to 
the ministry of the Gospel, and put forth by him 
in this solemn work, in the year 1831. Having 
now put her hand more publicly to the Gospel 
plough, strong were her desires that she might 
not only be preserved from looking back, but 
that in simple dependence upon the Lord Jesus, 
and by a close attention to his leading, she might 
know a growth and establishment in her gift. 
In a memorandum written some months later, 
she says : " The present desire of my soul is, 
that I may faithfully follow my dear and com- 
passionate Lord wheresoever he may be pleased 
to lead ; so that neither heights nor depths, prin- 
cipalities nor powers, things present nor things 
to come, shall ever be able to separate me from 
the love of God in Christ Jesus." 

In the year 1835 her Monthly and Quarterly 
Meetings acknowledged her gift, and recorded 
her as a minister of the Gospel. In the suc- 
ceeding seventeen years, with the unity of her 
friends^^ she attended nil the Yearly Meetings of 



Friends then on this continent^ and in Great 
Britain and Ireland, beside other religious servi- 
ces in places less distant from home, including 
some family visits, an engagement for which her 
deep indwelling with the Heavenly gift, and her 
tenderly sympathetic mind, peculiarly fitted her. 

The visit to Great Britain and Ireland was 
preceded by much exercise and proving of soul ; 
but He who called for the sacrifice v/as graciously 
pleased, not only to grant satisfactory evidence 
that it was in his ordering, but to give her strength 
to resign herself, and all that was dear to her, to 
his disposal. 

Being liberated by the Church for this weighty 
service, she embarked in the Sixth month, 1850, 
and was favored to accomplish what was required 
of her, so as to return to her family and friends 
in the Sixth month, 1851. In the course of 
this visit, she felt herself religiously restrained 
from going to meetings or places where the call of 
duty to her Lord did not lead her, although at 
times it was a trial to decline the solicitations to 
do so ; but feeling that her safety and peace were 
concerned, she was helped to keep to the narrow 
path assigned her. She was much drawn into 
silence, both in and out of meetings, and her 
gathered, reverential watchfulness and waiting 
on the Lord, often had a leavening influence upon 



48 HANNAH RHOADS. 

others, tending far more than the mere utterance 
of words, to bring them into true inward exercise. 

After her return home she wrote respecting the 
visit ; ^^I often feel humbled and thankful in re- 
membering what I passed through during my 
late visit, and how remarkably we were cared 
for, and how way was made where there appeared 
to be none : mountains of difficulty were removed, 
and in due season, a quiet and peaceful release 
w^as mercifully granted, and I feel nothing to re- 
tract in the retrospect of my movements in that 
land. What cause of gratitude to that Almighty 
Power that sustained me through many proba- 
tions and trials, known only to Him who can 
make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the 
desert." Again, " My mind was so entirely per- 
vaded with peace, that I thought I could say ; 
my soul is deeply anchored on the Rock of ages !" 

Endued with a sound discriminating judgment, 
and her mind clothed with Gospel love, she was 
made useful in administering the discipline ; ten- 
derly seeking to restore and gather the erring, 
and to build up and strengthen the Church in 
the upright support of our Christian principles 
and testimonies. She was often baptized into 
exercise and suffering for the Church's sake, and 
led to petition that the Lord would enlarge her 
borders, and satisfy her poor with bread. 



HANKAH RHOADS. 49 

Prepared to love all who loved the Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity, she yet fervently desired the 
prosperity of our own religious Society-, that it 
might stand firm on its ancient foundation, grow- 
ing up into Christ the holy Head, and that its 
members, abiding in Him, and bringing forth the 
fruits of his Spirit, might be livingly united to 
one another. 

She frequently expressed a concern that where 
individuals gave evidence of having passed through 
the necessary preparation and received gifts from 
the Head of the Church, their youth should not 
prevent those gifts from being rightly brought into 
service for the edification of the bod}^, and their 
own advancement in spiritual strength and know- 
ledge. At one time she remarked, " I think 
there is a dispensation approaching, in which 
there will be a greater outpouring of the Spirit 
than there is now, comparable to that spoken of 
by the prophet, ' Your sons and your daughters 
shall prophesy ;' and other gifts, not only that of 
prophecy, shall be dispensed. I want you not 
to be dismayed, or too much discouraged." 

Her ministry was clear and connected, free 
from unnecessary repetition, and in the exercise 
of it she was concerned to wait for the fresh 
anointing from on high. She Avas often led to un- 
fold the doctrines of redeeming love and mercy ; 



50 HANNAH EHOADS. 

to exalt the Deity of Christ Jesus, as the Lord 
from heaven, the quickening Spirit, the only safe 
guide in the work of salvation, and his propi- 
tiatory sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, 
and as being our holy High Priest; pressing 
upon her hearers the acceptance of him in all 
his offices. This was particularly observable at 
funerals, where many were often present who sel- 
dom attended any place of worship, and whose 
views of Christian doctrine were very imperfect. 

For the riches of Divine love and grace freely 
bestowed upon man, and for our manifold tem- 
poral blessings, she was often constrained to in- 
vite others to gratitude and obedience, and to 
pour out with fervor, her own tribute of thanks- 
giving and praise. Being herself a witness of 
the unspeakable benefit of an interest in Christ, 
and a hope of eternal salvation through Him, her 
heart was much drawn toward the careless, with 
desire to improve every right opening for direct- 
ing their attention to Him from whom they might 
receive the same blessed privileges. 

In the First month, 1861, her faith and resig- 
nation were closely tested, in the removal by 
death after a short illness, of her beloved hus- 
band ; but she was enabled to bow in reverent 
submission to the Lord's will. In a memoran- 
dum made some time after, respecting this afflict- 



HANNAH HHOAI>S. 51 

ing dispensation, she saj^s, " The loss we have 
sustained, my pen can never set forth. He was 
an example of uprightness and integrity in his 
intercouse among men, and of meekness and 
forbearance under the various provocations and 
trials incident to one actively engaged in busi- 
ness." . :J: ♦ ♦ ♦ ^: 

" Having been in early life, brought under the 
sanctifying influences of Divine Grace in his own 
heart, and yielding obedience thereto, he advanc- 
ed from stature to stature, until he became a 
strong man in Christ, and a pillar in his house, 
faithfully maintaining his allegiance to Him, the 
holy Head and High Priest, Jesus Christ, the same 
yesterday, to day and forever, both in relation to 
his outward appearance among men as the one great 
propitiatory Sacrifice for all mankind, and in his 
inward spiritual manifestations. Although the 
final summons was sudden, his mind appeared to 
be preserved in much sweetness, and in calm 
resignation to the will of his Lord ; and as his 
redeemed spirit passed from its earthly tenement, 
the consoling language saluted my inward ear : 
The Lamb that is in the midst of the throne has 
led him to living fountains of water, and God has 
wiped away all tears from his eyes." 

From this time her health steadily declined, 

and it was instructive to observe with what pa- 
5 



52 HANNAH RHOADS. 

tience and cheerful resignation her active, ener- 
getic spirit submitted to the privations and res- 
traints of physical weakness and disease. 

In reference to a proposed change of residence, 
she writes about this time : " I hope all things 
will work together for good, and that through 
the kindness and condescension of Him, who is 
the Judge of the widow, w^e shall be rightly di- 
rected and provided for, when the time arrives 
to leave this pleasant home, so long the scene of 
cherished hopes and affections. I have great 
cause to speak well of his excellent name, and to 
magnify the mercy vouchsafed through every 
portion of my life. May gratitude and praise for 
his unmerited favors, become more and more the 
clothing of my spirit, wherever my lot may be 
cast. If his presence is only with us, all will be 
well ; without it, nothing in this world can give 
comfort." 

Early in the autumn of 1862 she removed to 
Germantown, and although she felt keenly the 
separation from the home she had so long enjoy- 
ed, and from beloved friends to whom she was 
closely united in Christian fellowship, yet she 
entered on her new abode with interest, and 
warmly reciprocated the kind welcome extended 
to her by Friends among whom she had come to 
cast her lot, in the evening of her day. With 



HANNAH IIHOADS. 53 

occasional exceptions she was mostly confined to 
the house during her residence there^ but she 
enjoyed having her friends around her, both those 
of mature age, and those in younger life, in whose 
welfare she felt a lively interest. 

She was subject to frequent and sudden at- 
tacks of hemorrhage from the lungs, by which 
she was brought face to face with death, and on 
such occasions the meek and quiet composure of 
her spirit instructively illustrated the reality of 
her religion, and the truth of the declaration : 
" Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose 
mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in 
thee." 

During a severe attack of this kind in Eighth 
month, 1864, under great physical distress, she 
said, "Pray for me that I may be ready." A 
beloved relative present remarked that he felt an 
assurance she was ready, and would be accepted 
if taken. Shortly after, with her usual calmness 
she said, " I love the Lord because he hath heard 
the voice of my supplications. The Lord loveth 
them that fear him, those that hope in his mercy. 
I have nothing to boast of, but I trust in the 
mercy of God in Christ Jesus, our dear Redeemer." 
Then addressing some of her children who were 
present, she added : " That is what I want for 
you, humble faith in Christ; we have nothing 



54 HAN>^AH RHOADS. 

to trust to but the mercy of God in Christ 
Jesus." 

At a time of similar suffering in Seventh 
month, 1865, she raised her voice in a clear 
triumphant manner, and repeated these words, 
" The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of 
many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the 
sea. Dear children, trust in the Lord." Thus, 
in humble trust, and unfaltering faith in God her 
Saviour, she sweetly passed on from day to day, 
leaning upon her Beloved ; redeeming love and 
mercy her theme of praise and thanksgiving; 
and the hopeful serenity of her spirit flowing 
forth to all around her. A few mornings before 
her close she said to a friend, " I have much 
peaceful quiet as I lie here — not that fullness of 
joy I experienced some months ago — but peace 
and quiet." It was remarked, that was all we 
could ask. She rejoined, " It is written, ' if a 
man love me he will keep my words ; and my 
Father will love him, and we will come unto him, 
and make our abode with him.' " 

Her mind was preserved clear, and the exer- 
cise of her faculties unimpaired, to the last. 
With her loins girded, and her light burning, 
she stood as a servant in waiting, ready to meet 
her Lord at his coming ; and in a few minutes 
after awaking from a peaceful slumber, she quietly 



ELIZABETH PITFIELD. 55 

put off mortality, the 21st of Eighth month, 
1865; and we doubt not received the gracious 
welcome : ^^ Come ye blessed of my Father, in- 
herit the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the world." 

To her we believe the language is applicable, 
" Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord — 
yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from 
their labors ; and their w^orks do follow them." 



3Iemorial of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of 
Philadelphia^ for the Northern District^ concerning 
our beloved friend Elizabeth Pitfield. 

Our much esteemed friend Elizabeth Pitfield, 
having been a member of our Monthly Meeting 
for about forty years, and many of us having 
partaken largely of the benefits of her religious 
labors, we feel constrained to bear testimony to 
her worth, and to the excellency of Divine Grace 
\vhereby she became what she was ; desiring that 
others may be animated and encouraged there- 
by to follow^ her as she endeavored to follow 
Christ. 

She w^as the daughter of William and Ilebeeca 



56 ELIZABETH PITFIELD. 

Folwell^ and was born in Philadelphia in the- 
Second month of the year 1788. In her youth- 
ful days she was subject to the temptations in- 
cident to that interesting period of life, but 
through the watchful care of her parents^ and by 
yielding obedience to the Divine law written in 
the heart, she was in great measuTe preserved! 
from surrounding evils, and experienced an adr 
vancement in the way of life and peace. 

In the Fifth month, 1808, in the 21&t year of 
her age, she was married to our late friend^ Ko- 
bert L. Pitfield, and became a member of this 
Meeting. Having been led more fully to see 
the emptiness of all worldly enjoyments, and 
yielding to the Heavenly visitations, she wa& 
enabled to make a full surrender of some things 
which became a burden to her, after which, great 
peace of mind was her portion, and she was 
favored with an assurance, that, if faithful to 
the end, she should receive the crown of life^ 
which the Lord hath promised to them that love 
Him. 

In 1811 they removed and settled within the 
limits of Burlington Monthly Meeting where she 
first appeared as a minister of the Gospel, and 
was acknowledged by that meeting as such, in 
the year 1814. 

Her ministry was sound and edifying and her 



ELIZxVBETH riTFIELD. 57 

communications lively and weighty, being attend- 
ed with the baptising power of the Head of the 
Church, by which the hearts of many were 
reached and the heritage of God watered. She 
was frequently led to magnify and exalt the name 
of Christ Jesus our Holy Redeemer, through 
whose sanctifying grace she was made a living 
member of the Church, and qualified to proclaim 
the Gospel of life and salvation. 

Her feelings were warm and sympathetic. The 
afflicted, the poor, and the sick, were objects of 
her tender regard. She partook largely of the 
cup of suffering; but through all her trials she 
was strengthened to lay hold of that blessed hope 
that was an anchor^ both sure and steadfast ; and 
thus she became qualified to encourage others to 
build on the alone sure foundation, "Christ 
Jesus, the Rock of ages." 

She highly, valued the doctrines and testimo- 
nies of the Gospel as held by our religious So- 
ciety, and was concerned that they might be 
faithfully supported by its members. 

In the year 1815 she visited the families of 
Burhngton Monthly Meeting, in company with 
George Dillwyn. 

In the year 1821 she returned, with her family, 
to Philadelphia, and they were members of the 
Western District Monthly Meeting until the 



58 ELIZABETH PITFIELD. 

Eleventh month, I8265 when they settled within 
the limits of this Meeting. 

She paid family visits to the members of the 
different Monthly Meetings within the limits of 
this city, in the year 1834, in which service we 
have cause to believe she was made an instru- 
ment of good to those whom she visited. In the 
course of her religious labors^ at different periods, 
she attended all the Yearly Meetings on this 
continent, which were then estabhshed, except 
Indiana, and repeatedly attended many of the 
Quarterly and Monthly Meetings composing this 
Yearly Meeting, to the comfort and satisfaction 
of Friends: and in the retrospect thereof, she 
acknowledged she had the reward of peace. 

In writing to a Friend on the state of Society, 
she remarks : '* I sometimes feel so weak and 
feeble that I am ready to adopt the plaintive 
language, ' How shall Jacob arise for he is small ? 
I do desire to remember the many mercies and 
favors granted to us, a poor unworthy people as 
Ave are ; and although our faith may be greatly 
reduced;, still I trust we shall be strengthened to 
submit to every dispensation of Divine Provi- 
dence, being brought into the state of mind in 
v>diich we can breath the language to our Heav- 
enly Father, ^ Thy will be done.'" 

Again she writes, '' The state of Society is 



ELIZABETH PITFIELD. 59 

very discouraging : many and various are the 
trials of the present time. Yet, still I trust, the 
dark and cloudy day will not always continue, 
but that the Sun of righteousness will arise, with 
healing in his wings." 

She often expressed a tender and earnest con- 
cern for the welfare of the rising generation, and 
sometimes emphatically ejaculated ; " Although 
my house be not so wdth God ; yet he hath made 
Avith me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all 
things, and sure." (2 Sam. xxiii. 5.) 

To one of her children she writes, in the year 
1836, "My mind is often turned towards thee, 
in anxious solicitude for thy preservation in the 
path that leads to an inheritance incorruptible, 
that fadeth not away ; remember that the fear of 
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear to 
offend thy Heavenly Father in any way; for He 
alone can bless or blast all our prospects of future 
happiness in this world. We are placed here for 
the blessed purpose of working out our soul's 
salvation with fear and trembling, before our 
great Judge. Time is short, and eternity is of 
unlimited duration. Mournful is the considera- 
tion, that so few of the youth of the present day, 
are willing to become the followers of a meek 
and crucified Redeemer, w^ho suffered for us, 
that we might inherit a mansion among the 



60 ELIZABETH PITFIELB. 

righteous of all generations. Oh! the serious 
responsibility of our having to give an account in 
the great day of final decision, of the occupancy 
of those gifts dispensed to us individually. Be 
sure frequently to read thy Bible : it will help to 
draw thy mind towards Him, who sees and knows 
CA^'ery thought of the heart. Above all, I would 
have thee frequently engaged in mental suppli- 
cation to thy blessed Lord. I know what I say. 
I esteem it one of my greatest privileges, thus 
to lift my heart up to Him, who has been with 
me through many deep conflicts, known only to 
the Searcher of hearts. What greater joy could 
I have, than to see my children walking in the 
Truth . Prayer is [as necessary] to the soul as 
bread is to the body. If we cease to pray, we 
must die (spiritually.) Seek first the kingdom 
of Heaven, and then the blessing annexed will 
be added." 

Again she writes, " Do not forget to ask for 
preservation in this world of sorrow. I am fear- 
ful the cruel enemy will lay snares to weaken 
your faith in the doctrines and testimonies of the 
poor despised ^ Quakers,' which never felt dearer 
to me than at the present time. To have an in- 
terest in the dear Redeemer, in his inward and 
spiritual appearance ; faith in that Word which 
is nigh in the heart and in the mouth, a^nd to 



ELIZABETH PITFIELD. gl 

submit our wills to His divine requiriiigs ; will 
do more for us than following the ^ lo ! heres and 
lo ! theres/ which are drawing away many from 
our religious Society. I long to be ready for 
my final change — to be permitted to enter one 
of those mansions prepared for the just of all 
generations. I often think of eternity. The 
time is swiftly drawing near when I must puf off 
mortality. I feel like a poor pilgrim who wants 
to reach the haven of everlasting rest. What a 
blessed thing it is that we have a Saviour to look 
to^ who will be a Comforter when all things 
else fail. I feel much weaned from looking to 
mortal man for help, for I find more true enjoy- 
ment in retirement and endeavouring to look up 
to Him who invited the weary and heavy laden 
to come unto Him. Our rest is not to be found 
in the things of time^, but in the riches of eter- 
nity. Oh ! then, look up to Him who can say to 
the troubled waves, ' Peace, be still.' Our dear 
Redeemer said, ' But one thing is needful, and 
Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall 
not be taken away from her.' This ' one thing,' 
in my apprehension, is, to choose the Lord for our 
portion, and the God of Jacob for the lot of our 
inheritance. His grace is sufficient for us. If 
we keep near to this Seed of the kingdom in our 
hearts, I believe that all things will work together 



62 ELIZABETH PITFIELI). 

for our good ; the bitter waters will be sweetened 
by His grace, and our light afflictions, which 
are but for a moment, (in comparison with eter- 
nity,) will work for us a far more exceeding and 
eternal weight of glory, if we will only submit, 
to let our dear Lord direct our steps. Let Him 
wash our feet : for He said, ' If I wash thee not, 
thou hast no part with me.' " John xiii. 8. 

In 1864, she writes, " I feel it very needful 
for me to ' watch and pray,' for it seems to me 
that the enemy of all good is seeking to lay waste 
the whole heritage of our Lord and Master." 

The following extract from a letter to a friend, 
will portray the sympathetic feelings of a heart 
prepared to suffer with the afflicted : " Thou hast 
been so much the companion of my mind for some 
time past, in near unity and fellowship, that I 
thought I would attempt writing thee a few lines, 
greatly desiring thou mayst be strengthened and 
encouraged to put thy trust in thy Heavenly 
Father. He will uphold thee by the right hand 
of His righteousness, and thou wilt be enabled 
to adopt the language, ' Hitherto the Lord hath 
helped me :' for none ever trusted in Him and 
were forsaken. Do we not know, the trial of 
our faith is more precious than gold ? Let us 
then cast all our anxious solicitude upon Him 



ELIZABETH PITFIELD. g3 

who careth for us, and will cause all things to 
w^ork together for our good, if we let patience 
have its perfect work : then shall we be experi- 
mental witnesses of that blessed truth, ' The 
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, 
the Lord knoweth them that are His.' Thy 
Divine Master will, I believe, in His own time, 
make a way for thee, where at seasons there may 
appear none. Many now, as w^ell as formerly, 
are the afflictions of the Lord's dear children, 
and from different causes ; and though hid from 
our fellow beings, they are all known to Him who 
careth for us, and by whom the very hairs of our 
head are all numbered." 

When in health, our beloved friend was a 
bright example in the attendance of all our re- 
ligious meetings, and in reverent waiting on the 
Lord therein : but for the last few years of her 
life, she was much enfeebled by repeated attacks 
of sickness, and for nearly a year before her death 
she was unable to mingle w4th her friends in a 
collective capacity. 

At times during her illness, through the infir- 
mities of the body, she felt weary, yet she was 
enabled to cast all her burdens on Him, who 
emphatically said, " Come unto me all ye that 

labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you 
6 



04 ELIZABETH PITFIELD. 

rest." In this faith she was sustained through 
many tribulations, and as her end drew near, 
whilst passing through the valley of the shadow 
of death, she expressed herself thus, " I believe 
I can say, ! death, where is thy sting, ! 
grave, where is thy victory." A short time pre- 
vious to her close she supplicated, " Blessed Re- 
deemer, have mercy on me. I am but a poor 
worm. Dear Heavenly Father, take me home." 
" Oh ! holy Father, if consistent with thy will, 
take me to thyself." And then, with a sweet 
and heavenly serenity, she said; ^*^ Going in 
mercy — all is peace." Soon after, she passed 
quietly away, and we doubt not has entered 
through the gates, into that city, where none of 
the inhabitants can say, I am sick. 

She peacefully departed, on the evening of the 
4th of Seventh month, 1866, in the seventy-ninth 
year of her age. 



H. REGINA SHOBER. 65 

Memorial of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Phila- 
delphia, for the Western District, concerning H. 
Regina Shober. 

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the 
death of his saints/' This declaration of Holy 
Writ has been revived in our remembrance when 
reflecting on the death of our beloved friend H. 
PtEGiNA Shober. 

Her memory being precious to us, we feel it 
right to preserve a record of one whose life w^as 
so devoted to the promotion of the cause of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And now that 
she has been added^, as we reverently believe, to 
the great cloud of witnesses who prove the bless- 
edness of dwelling in the faith and hope of our 
dear Redeemer unto the end, we trust that this 
memorial of her may be to the edification of the 
Church in love. 

H. Regina Shober was born in the year 1786. 
Her parents being Episcopalians, she was trained 
in that religiTius profession; and as she advanced 
in years became a highly esteemed member of 
that Society. In her youthful life she com- 
menced a diary, the object of which, she says, 
" is to keep in remembrance the kind and grac- 
ious dealings of the Father of mercies with me, 
and to leave a testimony to the truth of that 



66 H. RECtINA shober, 

precious Gospel which brings life and immor- 
tality to light." In this it is recorded that from 
her fifteenth year she had been at times ardently 
engaged in seeking the Pearl of great price^ and 
was convinced that the vessel must be prepared 
for, and receive the inscription of ^^ Holiness unto 
the Lord/' ere she could see his face with joy. 
In another place she remarks, ^' An humbling 
sense of my own unworthiness daily teaches the 
all-important lesson, that there is no safety one 
moment for any one of us, but while watching 
unto prayer." 

About the twenty-second year of her age she 
was deeply impressed with the belief that it 
would not be right for her to remain a member 
of the religious society in which she had been 
educated, and that it would be her duty to at- 
tend the meetings for worship of the religious 
Society of Friends. 

This conviction brought her under many sore 
conflicts, chiefly because of the persuasion that 
it would wound the feelings of her tenderly be- 
loved mother, and of many dear and valued 
friends. 

In earnest prayer to the great Searcher of 
hearts, she sought for the guidance of his pure 
Spirit, and entreated that neither earthly afTec- 



H. EEGI^'A SHOBEPv. 07 

tion nor fear of reproach^ might influence her or 
prevent her from doing the Divine will. 

In the Second month of the year 1813, she 
applied to be received as a member of our relig- 
ious Society, and in the Ninth month of the same 
year was acknowledged as such by the Monthly 
Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, for the 
Southern District. 

At this time she says in her diary, '' Father 
of mercies, keep me on the watch tower that I 
may hear thy voice and know thy blessed will 
concerning me. ' Behold, I have left all and 
followed Thee,' has often been the language of 
my heart, and such sweetness and quietness have 
spread over my whole soul, that I have said, 
could not I go to prison and death for thee ? 
Then indeed thy yoke was easy and thy burden 
light, but Lord, thou knowest my weakness, 
and that without thee I can do nothing." 

Frequent and fervent were her petitions that 
she might be instructed as to the will of the 
Lord concerning her, and be enabled to do what- 
ever He might require at her hands. 

In the year 1817 she believed it to be her re- 
ligious duty to bear a public testimony in our 
meeting for worship, to the truth as it is in Jesus. 
This was a costly sacrifice offered in obedience 
to the Divine will. She records in relation to it : 
6* 



68 H. RECtINA shober. 

" He who knows my hearty knows what it has 
cost me — my soul bows in humble acknowledg- 
ment of his mercy to me a poor weak woman. 
May He finish his work in my heart, and enable* 
me to dedicate my life and all my powers afresh.." 
Continuing simply and humbly dependent upon« 
her Lord, she experienced a growth in grace, and! 
was acknowledged as a minister of the Gospel m 
the religious Society of Friends in the Second: 
month of the year 1820. 

Soon after this she says, (in her diary,) 
" Gracious and merciful One, whc alone knows 
me ; make and keep me faithful. Thou knowest 
I often tremble at the situation in which I am 
placed, and as it has pleased thee thus far to 
lead me about and instruct me, keep mine eye 
singly directed unto thee. Then shall I be en- 
abled through thy grace to go at thy bidding, and 
tell unto others what thou hast done for my 
soul." 

" Oh ! help me to be faithful. I have none in 
heaven but thee, none in all the earth I desire 
in comparison of thee. Help me to overcome 
the natural diffidence that so much obstructs my 
way, whatever of suffering it may cost me. 
Break these chains, that the glorious Gospel 
liberty which I believe is my privilege in common 
with thy children, may bo my happy experience ; 



H. REGINA SHOBER. Qi) 

for thou knowest that I do love thee — that I 
fervently desire that body, soul and spirit may 
be sanctified, and made meet for thy use." 

Tn the year 1822 she first travelled as a min- 
ister of the Gospel, with the approbation of the 
Monthly Meeting of which she was a member, 
visiting the meetings of Exeter and Muncy. In 
succeeding years she w^as repeatedly called by 
her Divine Master to labor in various parts of 
our own and other yearly Meetings, both in pub- 
lic and more private ministry. 

In these solemn engagements it was her fer- 
vent concern to minister only in the ability which 
God gives. Under this feeling she thus petitions, 
'' Heavenly Father, my unfailing Friend, help 
me once more to renew mv covenant, and bind 
every sacrifice with cords to the horns of the 
altar. My soul longs, yea, pants at seasons for 
an entire conformity to thy will. Again and 
again enable me to surrender my all — to suffer 
patiently — do the little required of me cheerfully, 
knowing that thy will is my sanctification." 

^' I entreat thee for the sake of Jesus Christ 
thy dear Son, w^ho bore my sins in his own body 
on the tree, and for my poor soul's sake, that 
thou wouldst blot out my many transgressions 
and remember mine iniquities no more. Enable 
me, Oh ! Thou whom I do love and desire fiiith- 



70 H. REGINA SHOBER. 

fully to follow and serve, to commit all my sor- 
rows, to cast all my burdens, for they are indeed 
many, at thy blessed feet, believing in thy power 
that will and can support, and, in thy own time, 
turn my mourning into songs of praise. Am.en." 

The consolations of the Gospel were the fre- 
quent theme of her ministry. Having expe- 
rienced that these abounded in Christ even in the 
midst of suffering, she could preach to others, 
that if they had been made partakers of afflic- 
tions as his disciples, they should also in his own 
time be made partakers of his consolations. 

In the year 1839 she removed to reside within 
our limits, and became a member of our Monthly 
Meeting. Duiing her long residence amongst 
us, we were sensible that it was her earnest 
concern to be " an example of the believers in 
word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in 
faith, in purity." She was conspicuous for her 
simplicity and moderation, guiding her outward 
affairs with much discretion, and realizing that 
godliness with contentment is great gain. Thus, 
with moderate w^ordly possessions, she was en- 
abled to exercise a liberal hospitality of which 
many were partakers. 

Not a feW' can also bear witness to the comfort 
of love and spiritual edification which was im- 
parted by her in social intercourse. 



H. REGI^"A SHOBEK. 71 

In a letter to a young friend who had become 
unsettled in regard to the doctrmes and testi- 
monies of our religious Society, she writes^, '^I 
well know that it is a simple, narrow, self-deny- 
ing path, and although I do believe that the 
blessed compassionate Shepherd has his own 
sheep and lambs in every fold, who are pre- 
cious in his sight, yet from the full conviction 
that the principles and testimonies of Friends, 
as they one after another were opened to my 
view and sealed on my heart, were most consis- 
tent with the doctrines contained in the Holy 
Scriptures, and that my present and everlasting 
peace seemed to depend on simply giving up all 
I had been taught from childhood as respects 
forms and ceremonies in religion, I have no hesi- 
tation in saying that for myself there was no 
other path to peace." It may be here appropri- 
ately mentioned that one of the first practices 
which she felt herself conscientiously restrained 
from uniting in, was the singing of the congrega- 
tion as a part of public worship. 

Nearing the close of life she thus writes to a 
friend, " If only our many trials and afflictions 
work for us, through the mercy of God in Christ 
Jesus, a far more exceeding and eternal weight 
of glory, dare we crave an exemption from one 
of them. Will not one moment in that blessed 



72 H. KEGINA SHOBER, 

happy home that none can deprive us of, and 
into which sorrow can never enter, more than 
compensate for all we have suffered. Yes, we 
shall praise Him too for every cup of bitterness, 
in mercy and wisdom made our portion, while 
sojourning in this vale of tears. How much we 
need to bring us to the Saviour's feet and keep 
us there." 

Her ministry, while it was often exercised in 
weakness and in fear, and expressed in much sim- 
plicity, was in the demonstration of the Spirit and 
power. She was thus often instrumental, under 
the constraining influence of the love of Christ, 
in raising the life in our religious meetings, and 
also in comforting Zion's true mourners ; knowing 
how to speak a word in season to them that are 
weary. Her offerings in prayer were mostly 
brief and fervent, making request with reverence 
and godly fear. 

Sympathy with those who were in any trouble 
was a conspicuous trait in her character. To 
visit the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the 
naked, she deemed her plain christian duty, and, 
while faithful herein, in no common degree, she 
ever considered herself an unprofitable servant. 
Many can testify to the consolation which in 
tender love and pity she was enabled to impart 
to their sorrowing minds. 



H. HEGINA SHOBEE. 73 

She was as a nursing mother to those who were 
young in the ministry^ and quick to discern the 
work of grace in any, and to cherish it in those 
who were yet as babes in Christ. Her humility 
and sweet expressions of sympathy encouraged 
such to accept the offers of redeeming love, and 
to press forward in the way of holinejss. 

Having endeavored meekly to follow her Re- 
deemer, through a long life of service and of 
suffering, and having abundantly testified to the 
sufficiency of his grace and the value of his aton- 
ing sacrifice, little remained for the evening of 
her day but peacefully to aw^ait the summons 
home. 

She never enjoyed robust health, and in her 
declining years was enfeebled by frequent attacks 
of illness. Although these, for the last few 
months of her life, did not cause increased un- 
easiness to her friends^ yet she seemed to see 
with clearness that her end was near. 

Though nature shrank from the last conflict, 
yet, having long felt herself to be a stranger and 
pilgrim upon earth, she evidently longed to 
depart and be with Christy which is far better ; 
looking forward with joy to that happy home in 
Heaven, where, as she at times expressed, the 
love and mercy of her Lord and Saviour had pre- 
pared a mansion for her. 



74 H. REGINA SHOBEIi. 

On the afternoon of the 15th of Fifth month, 
1865, when appearing unusually comfortable, 
she requested that some young friends, in whom 
she felt much interested, and who were about 
leaving the city, might be sent for, saying, " If 
they do not see me now they will never see me 
again." This anticipation of her approaching end 
was soon realized. About midnight of the 16th 
she was attacked with severe pain, which, for a 
time, was too acute to allow of much expression. 
When partially relieved, she was sw^eetly engaged 
in vocal prayer, craving that the work might be 
cut short in righteousness. Soon after, as we 
reverently believe, her petition was answered, 
and her redeemed spirit was admitted into that 
'' rest which remaineth for the people of God." 

She died on the 17th of Fifth month, 1865, in 
the 79th year of her age, a minister of the Gos- 
pel for more than forty-five years. 

" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth : yea, saith the Spirit, that they 
may rest from their labors ; and their works do 
follow them." 



JAMES EMLEN. 75 

Testimony of Birmingham MontJily Meeting^ held 
Tenth month 2nd^ 1867, concerning our friend 
James Emlen, deceased. 

From the lively recollection we have of the 
exemplary v^alk, meek and quiet spirit of our late 
beloved friend James Emlen^ we feel engaged to 
preserve some record of his life and christian ex- 
periences^ in order that others, seeing his good 
works, may be encouraged to follow him, even as 
he endeavored to follow his Divine Master. 

He was the son of James and Phebe Emlen, 
and was born at Middletown, Delaware County, 
Pa,, the 17th of Sixth month, 1792. 

Being the youngest of six children and but six 
years of age at the time of his father's death, 
(his mother having previously deceased,) his 
early training devolved almost wholly on his 
grandparents, Caleb and Ann Pierce. At an 
early age he was entered at the Boarding School 
at Westtown, and after completing his education 
he removed to New York City, where he served 
a four years apprenticeship to a mercantile busi- 
ness. 

It was during his stay here that he so far 
yielded to the temptations of gay society, as to 
cause him in alluding to it in after years to say, 
'' It was a dark spot in my life from which noth- 



76 JAMER EMLEX. 

ing but Infinite Power could ever have delivered 
me ; a life of dedication is a poor return for such 
mercy." 

A few weeks previous to his decease, in con- 
versing wath a friend relative to this period of 
his life, he said, (in substance,) he was a gay 
and fashionable young man, but having been 
brought under the powerful hand of his Heavenly 
Father, one of the first things in which he was 
required to take up the cross, was in relation to 
the arrangement of his hair, which he had been 
accustomed to wear in the fashionable mode of 
that time. This sacrifice, he said, although it 
may seem, and is a very little thing, was much 
against his inclination, but he yielded, and ex- 
perienced the reward of a peaceful mind. Ano- 
ther requisition of duty which he found enjoined 
upon him, was the use to a single person of the 
pronoun " Thou." He remarked that this was a 
great trial to him, but the peace which followed, 
amply compensated for the sacrifice. He was 
sensible, he said, that the work of religion was 
going on in his heart, before he made any change 
in his personal appearance or in his mode of lan- 
guage. 

About the twenty-second year of his age he 
removed to his farm at Middletown, Pa., and at 
twenty-four was married to Sarah Farquar, an 



JAMES EMLEN. 77 

approved minister of the Gospel^ who for thirty- 
five years proved a true helpmeet to him. 

Finding his strength inadequate to the labor 
and exposure of properly conducting a farm^ he 
opened there a school for boys, where, besides 
mental training, he endeavored to sow good seed 
in the hearts of those entrusted to his care. 

At the age of twenty-six he was, after delib- 
erate consideration by Chester Monthly Meeting, 
appointed to the important station of Elder. 

In 1828 he was released by his Monthly 
Meeting, to accompany our late valued friend 
Thomas Shillitoe on a religious visit to the meet- 
ings within the Yearly Meetings of Ohio, Indi- 
ana, North Carolina and Virginia. He was 
favored with ability to perform most of this 
journey amid many trying scenes in our religious 
Society, which took place about this period. 

In relation to their parting at Sutton's Creek, 
North Carolina, Thomas Shillitoe remarks in his 
journal, " We parted in near affection, after hav- 
ing travelled together many months in much 
harmony." 

In the spring of 1835 he removed with his 
family to Westtown, and was usefully occupied 
as a teacher in that interesting seminary until 
near 1819, when feeling himself released from 
further service there, he removed to reside in 



78 JAMES EMLEN. 

West Chester, and became a member of this 
Monthly Meetmg, by which he was soon after 
re-appointed an Elder. 

A fervent desire for the advancement of the 
cause of Truth in the earth, and especially for 
the spiritual welfare of those of the same house- 
hold of faith, was conspicuous in the character of 
our dear friend, and was frequently manifested 
in the way of epistolary communications ; from 
some of these the following extracts are taken. 

In reference to an account of an individual 
which he had been perusing, he writes, " Quiet, 
peaceful, one of the hidden members of the 
body ; and how important these are, may be in- 
ferred from the fact that the most vital and im- 
portant parts or members are such as are out of 
sight ; and I have often thought if we may only 
feel assured we are of the body, whether hidden 
members or not, it would not matter ; but yet 
how important that these should be preserved in 
a sound and healthful condition ; and as He who 
made that which is without, made that which is 
within also, to Him we must look for the healing 
virtue of Divine life, when any thing is out of 
order, or in an unsound condition. Therefore, 
let none conclude, because they may think them- 
selves out of sight, that they are needless or 
useless members of the Church of Christ. I am 



JAMES EMLEN. 79 

confident, that such, keeping their places in hu- 
mility, do often secretly minister grace to be- 
holders. 

! for a succession of such as love the Truth, 
and who desire none of the novelties of the pres- 
ent day ; very thankful indeed to be permitted 
to share in the inheritance left by our forefathers ; 
to drink of the old wine." 

In reference to the ministry, he writes : " Of 
one thing I have little doubt, that all who are 
rightly called into the ministry will first be in- 
structed to see and to feel,* that of themselves 
they can know and do nothing. This weans from 
all dependence on ourselves, and prepares the 
humble mind to have faith in Christ, although 
with the poor Centurian, we can adopt the lan- 
guage, ' I am not worthy thou shouldest come 
under my roof, neither thought I myself worthy 
to come unto thee, yet speak the word only, and 
my servant shall be healed.' A very humble 
view of himself, but such confidence in Christ as 
to gain for him the encouraging language, ' I have 
not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.' " 

" Indeed, I can say from -my heart, I have a 
very friendly feeling for a brief and lively min- 
istry ; and in this view of the subject, no one has 
any occasion to plead the lack of eloquence and 

the stammering tongue, for it is not so much 

7* 



80 JAMES EMLEN. 

the words, how good or how many, but how 
lively ; feeding the hungry with the true bread, 
and not with pictures and descriptions and dry 
doctrines ; nay, is it not true, that even a word 
fitly spoken is like ' apples of gold in pictures of 
silver.' The rehearsal of a text, with right au- 
thority, may have the effect to gather an assem- 
bly unto Christ the invisible Teacher, to settle 
them upon Him, and upon his teachings, which 
is all any minister should desire." 

Again he writes, '' It is no doubt a time of 
general shaking amongst us, and how needful 
under such circumstances, that we feel ourselves 
to be based upon that which cannot be shaken 
nor removed : — here must be our fellowship and 
unity ; members of the one spiritual body, many 
members, but having one Holy Head and Law- 
giver." " I crave above all things purity of heart, 
and an increase of those unseen heavenly graces, 
which are more professed than possessed by some 
who bear the name of Christ." 

Again, " It has indeed felt to me very much 
like the time referred to, when there was noth- 
ing but a few barley loaves and some small fishes 
remaining amongst us. 

" There is a great deal of noise and outward 
profession in the Christian world ; but the an- 
ointed eye must see that if all the ghaff^ all 



I 



JAMES EMLEiV. 81 

except the solid wheats were sifted out, little 
would be left ; and yet, that little, with the Di« 
vine blessing, may be sufficient; and therefore 
our faith must not be in the wisdom of man, nor 
in the multitude of words, but in the innocency^^ 
simplicity and humility of the Truth itself, and 
the power of its operation." " I greatly desire 
to be preserved from all deceit and mixture, and 
yet I find the enemy is ever watching to take 
me in weak moments, and I find, as I suppose 
we all do, that I am never safe without keeping 
in a watchful, prayerful condition." 

" It feels to be very desirable that we con- 
stantly bear in mind, that ' the day and the night 
are both alike to Him ;' that in our times of 
stripping, and desertion, and temptation, we are 
as much under his baptizing hand, as in seasons 
of strength and comfort." 

His views in regard to the Holy Scriptures 
are clearly expressed in a letter under date of 
Twelfth month 6th, 1862, as follows: ^^ To be 
favored with the enlightening and enlivening in- 
fluence of that Holy Spirit which inspired the 
writers of the sacred volume, is of all others, the 
most precious gift we can obtain ; this enables us 
to understand and relish what we read ; and as 
we are faithful to the impressions it conveys, it 
becomes a precious aid in the path of a devout 



82 JAME^ EMLEN. 

life, and gives a true feeling of love and fellow- 
ship with Him, who inspired, and with those who 
wrote the Scriptures. 

" This precious Spirit of Christ is a light to 
our path, a weapon of power in the hand, a cov- 
ering or garment that gives admittance into the 
Bridegroom's chamber. And if in reading the 
sacred volume we are favored with some lively 
view and feehng of a particular passage, I believe 
it has been' found good to pause, and allow our 
Holy High Priest and Minister to expound the 
same and convey to us Himself the instruction 
it contains. If, without this solemn introversion 
we continue reading, or refer to the commentaries 
of men, Ave may lose the edification intended, and 
have our attention diverted from the spirit to the 
letter, and thus suffer loss, without perhaps, 
knowing the cause." 

" In the midst of all the peculiar trials that 
surround us, I feel a comfortable hope that the 
foundations of many are being laid with precious 
stones, with humility, with living faith, and liv- 
ing hope, and fervent charity ; which, though 
out of sight, are seen by Him who seeth not as 
man seeth, but looketh at the heart." 

In another letter he says, " I notice with much 
interest thy remarks about the ' awfulness of delay 
in the great work of preparation.' The care thou 



JAMES EMLEX. 83 

expresses in disclosing thy feelings on the sub- 
ject^ is an evidence to my mind that the concern 
is a right one, and from the right source. He who 
makes such solemn impressions on the mind 
would have us quietly to cherish them^ and not 
to scatter them and fritter them away in a light^ 
or even a familiar manner to any one. Our 
strength depends on keeping to an inward, re- 
tired state of mind, abiding in the Vine, the root 
of life, and drawing all our supplies from thence." 

" ' If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he 
is none of his ;' and if we have this, Ave have 
the spirit of prayer and supplication, w^iereunto 
we may continually resort. He, and He alone, 
thoroughly knows our condition and what is 
needed to heal us. Man's prescriptions may not 
suit our case, and I would encourage thee to 
observe care not to converse too familiarily on 
solemn subjects." 

He was on several occasions an acceptable 
companion to valued ministers, on religious visits 
in other, as well as various parts of his own 
Yearly Meeting ; was faithful to apprehended 
duty in little, as well as more weighty matters ; 
a kind and sympathizing friend to the poor, his 
foot many times pressed the door-sill of those 
who sat in solitary places, and to the couch of 



84 JAME^ EMLEX. 

sickness and suffering he was a frequent and 
ever welcome visitor. 

Having, through submission to the teachings 
of Divine Grace, attained to the possession of an 
even, cheerful spirit, he was in social intercourse^ 
kind and courteous to all, and was careful not to 
hurt the " oil or the wine" in any. 

His solid, reverential waiting in our religious 
meetings, was instructive; and his occasional 
exhortations will be remembered by many, es- 
pecially his earnest appeals to mothers, as heads 
of families, to commence the training of the infant 
mind at a very early age. 

He was taken unwell in the autumn of 1866, 
and his constitution at no time robust, gradually 
yielded to the inroads of disease ; growing weaker 
day by day, he lay, for the most part, quiet and 
peaceful, and was enabled to look forward to the 
end with a calm, confiding faith, that He w^ho 
had through a long life been his guide, his stay, 
and his comforter, would graciously condescend 
to be with him, and support him to its close. 

The following expressions preserved during 
that interesting period, were thought w^orthy of 
insertion here. 

" I have been mercifully preserved in resigna- 
tion to the Divine Will ; I desire none of you may 



JAMES EMLEX. 85 

ask my life, fearing I might never again be bless- 
ed with the same peaceful state." 

" I have endeavored not to abuse my Heavenly 
Father's mercies ; not to presume upon them ; my 
prayer has been, ' Keep me Lord from presump- 
tuous sins.' " 

" I have prayed that if it be the Lord's will, 
I might be taken to his rest now, and that you, 
my dear children, may all be, in the Lord's time, 
gathered home to his rest." 

'' What an awful thing it would be to me, at 
such a time as this, not to feel his presence near ; 
but my Saviour is altogether lovely, and I long 
to be in his arms." " My life has been won- 
derfully prolonged in this sickness ; for what end 
I cannot see. I don't know how it may termi- 
nate with me, but if I should recover, I hope to 
be a more dedicated man to his cause." 

" Though I have never at any time in my life 
felt less worthy of Divine love and compassion, 
I can truly say, they have never been so gra- 
ciously and abundantly extended to me." 

''* I can truly say we have followed no cunningly 
devised fables, but the everlasting Truth." 

" My Saviour has been very sweet to me since 
I have been lying on this bed, and indeed all my 
life long He has been very precious to me. 



8(5 JAMES EMLEN. 

' What shall I render unto Thee for all my 
benefits.' " 

On being removed on one occasion he was 
noticed to tremble considerably. He remarked^ 
^^It is only the frame of my tabernacle that is 
tremblings I have no guilty conscience to contend 
with." 

" I esteem it a great favor^ that the disease 
has made no serious inroads upon my head ; I 
desire to have my understanding, that while I 
live, I may appreciate the kindness of my Hea- 
venly Father." 

'^ I have always had rather a dread of the cold 
embrace of death ; but latterly it has seemed as 
though it would be a relief." 

My love to you is very great ; but it is not all 
of myself ; it is the love of God, which is bound- 
less — boundless — extending the world over." 

On being asked if the nights seemed long, he 
replied : '- 1 don't feel them long at any time, if 
I can feel my Saviour near." 

The evening before his close, he said : " I 
think I shall be very thankful to be released 
when the right time comes." And near the close, 
when it was thought the powers of articulation 
had ceased, he was aroused with the words : 
" This will soon all be over, there is nothing in 
the way ;" to which he very audiblj^ replied. 



ELIZABETH EVANS. 87 

^^ Nothing— nothing — nothing." These were his 
last words. 

He quietly passed away on the evening of the 
23d of Tenth month, 1866, in the seventy»fifth 
year of his age. 

"THE MEMORY OF THE JUST IS BLESSED/*' 



Memorial of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of 
Philadelphia^ for the Southeryi District^ respecting 
our late beloved friend^ Elizabeth Evans. 

She was the daughter of John and Rebecca 
Barton, and was born in Newton, Camden Co., 
N. J., the 2nd of First month, 1794. Having 
naturally a lively social disposition, her company 
was attractive to many, and she was often led 
into gaiety and frivolity among her young friends, 
thus making work for repentance. In the mercy 
of her compassionate Lord and Saviour, when 
about the nineteenth year of her age, she was 
favored with a renewed and powerful visitation 
of his Spirit, and brought under deep-felt convic- 
tion for sin. 

Great inward conflict was her portion, causing 
her often to retire to solitary places, where, un= 
observed, she might wrestle in spirit for divine 



88 ELIZABETH EVANS, 

forgiveness and that peace of mind which the 
Lord alone could give. Having bowed in rever- 
ent submission to His will, sacrifices in obedience 
to apprehended duty were made, and she found 
herself restrained from indulging in some things 
in which she had previously taken delight, and 
was led into great plainness and simplicity in 
dress and manner. From this time the work of 
grace in her heart appears to have gone steadily 
forward, and so marked was the change produced 
in her conduct and conversation, that it soon was 
evident the resolution had been formed, in humble 
child-like dependence on divine support and 
guidance, ^'^Let others do as they may, as for 
me I will serve the Lord." 

During this interesting portion of her life she 
was favored with the Christian counsel and en- 
couragement of that deeply experienced minister 
of the gospel, Richard Jordan, then a member of 
the same meeting, and whom she ever afterwards 
greatly loved as a father in the Truth. 

During the earlier portion of her religious life, 
many deep and painful baptisms were allotted to 
her, doubtless for the further purification of her 
heart, and as a preparation for the solemn work 
of the ministry, into which she was soon called. 
But she did not venture to engage in it until 
her mind was clothed with the fear that all the 



ELIZABETH EVANS. 89 

good she had thus far known^ would be with- 
drawn if she did not yield to the impressions of 
duty. She first spoke as a minister at Newton 
Meeting, in the year 1815, when in the tw^enty- 
second year of her age, and in the Third month, 
1818j she was acknowledged as a minister of 
the Gospel, by Haddonfield Monthly and Quar- 
terly Meetings. 

In the First month, 1819, she was furnished 
by the same Monthly Meeting with a minute of 
unity to visit the meetings within the limits of 
Bucks Quarter, and also some meetings in her 
own Quarterly Meeting; and during the five suc- 
ceeding years she was repeatedly engaged in 
other religious services with the unity and ap- 
probation of her friends. The state of mind in 
which she entered upon one of these weighty 
engagements, is thus described in a letter to a 
friend : " I may truly say I went in fear, and in 
much trembling, but I found the preparatory 
baptism was good for me, and was renewedly 
made to feel from whence all true help cometh," 

Thus relying in sim.pl icity of heart upon the 
unfailing Helper of his people, and endeavoring 
to keep near to Him in spirit, she experienced 
preservation and an increase of ability to proclaim, 
the riches of redeeming love, and extend the in- 
vitation to come, taste and see that the Lord is 



90 ELIZABETH EVANS. 

good. After returning from a visit to several of 
the Quarterly Meetings in the year 1824, she 
thus gratefully acknowledged the aid received. 
" My mind is tranquil and satisfied ; we can say 
of a truth we served a good Master, and we al- 
ways found Him near to help in the time of need. 
It is a most serious time to go abroad, but as 
humility is abode in, and the Arm of Power con- 
fided in, and prayer constantly exercised, all is 
made easy : we were wonderfully preserved." 

In the Twelfth month, 1824, she was married 
to our late beloved friend, William Evans, and 
soon after became a member of this Monthly 
Meeting. 

To her husband she was an afiectionate com- 
panion and true helpmeet, sympathizing with 
him in his religious exercises, and in seasons of 
trial and difficulty. She united with him in a 
godly care over their children, endeavoring by 
precept and example, to train them up in the 
fear of the Lord, and love of the principles and 
testimonies of our Society. 

Endeavoring to serve the Lord with a dedicat- 
ed heart, much labor in the ministry of the Gos- 
pel fell to her lot during the remaining thirty- 
seven years of her life. 

In the course of her religious labors, beside 
the diligent attendance of the meetings to which 



ELIZABETH EVAIs^S. 91 

she belonged, visits in obedience to apprehended 
duty, were made to all the meetings of Friends 
composing Philadelphia and New York Yearly 
Meetings, and family visits within the limits of 
this and other Monthly Meetings. All the 
Yearly Meetings in this country, at that time, 
except North Carolina, were successively visited, 
together with many of the meetings belonging to 
them. In all these services she had the approba- 
tion of her friends, and they appear to haA^e 
been acceptable to those visited. 

Knowing the source from whence true Gospel 
ministry proceeds, and waiting in prostration of 
soul for the direction and quickening influence 
which the Lord in condescending mercy imparts 
to his depending, single-hearted children, she was 
often made an instrument of good to others. 
Very fervent and impressive on many occasions 
were her gospel communications, enforcing the 
great truths which she had herself learned in the 
school of Christ, especially the need of regenera- 
tion and of thorough submission to that Grace, 
which alone can sanctify the heart and prepare 
it for the Lord's service. She was frequently 
led to address those in the younger walks of life, 
and with pathetic earnestness, entreat them to 
dedicate their hearts to the blessed Redeemer 

who died for them, and was still tenderly wooing 
8* 



92 ELIZABETH EVANS. 

them by his Spmt ; inviting them to take his yoke 
upon them, and bear his cross with holy mag- 
nanimity, that thus they might find rest to their 
souls, and partake of the pys of his salvation. 
The word of alarm and warning was often sounded 
by her in Christian love, to arouse the lukewarm 
and indifFerent, and also the rebellious, while to 
the struggling burden bearers, and the mourners 
in Zion, sympathy and encouragement were ex- 
tended, wuth the assurance of their being regard- 
ed by Him who seeth in secret, and who re- 
wardeth openly. 

The principles and testimonies of our religious 
Society were very dear to her. She often found 
it her place to exhort our members to support 
faithfully the Discipline established in the wis- 
dom of Truth, as a hedge for their preservation, 
and she warned them against in any manner de- 
parting from the alone sure foundation, Christ 
Jesus, the Rock of Ages, on which our faithful 
predecessors in the Truth were concerned to 
build. 

She greatly desired there might be a succes- 
sion of upright standard bearers preserved in the 
Church ; and on one occasion in the Yearly Meet- 
ing, spoke of the faithful worthies who had been 
gathered to their everlasting rest, beyond the 
strife of tongues ; and, alluding to the vacancies 



ELIZABETH EVAXS. 93 

thereby made, quoted the command : " Strip 
Aaron of his garments and put them upon 
Eleazer his son." She craved that our young 
Friends might be clothed with the garments that 
clothed some of these, and that they might walk 
by the same rule, and mind the same thing. 
^^ Their God still lives to qualify, dignify and 
beautify the members of his Church, and if those 
who are tremblingly alive to the cause, keep close 
to their exercises, they will be prepared to take 
the places of those who have been removed ; the 
mantle of Elijah will rest upon Elisha." 

Her faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
as a Divine Redeemer who gave himself for the 
sins of the world, and is our Advocate and In- 
tercessor w ith the Father, was strong and stead- 
fast ; and she most firmly believed in the efficacy 
of his atoning sacrifice. She frequently advert- 
ed to the necessity of implicit obedience to the 
teachings and monitions of the Holy Spirit; the 
light of Christ in the heart, and expressed her 
full faith in its guidance and direction, even in 
the ordinary affairs and events of life, when this 
was sought in honesty and sincerity. 

In disposition she was open-hearted and cheer- 
ful^ and manifesting a warm interest in the well^ 
fare of her friends, especially those of the younger 
class, she was much beloved by many of them, 



94 ELIZABETH EVANS. 

and was, we believe, instrumental in the Divine 
hand in drawing some into the safe, but narrow 
way which leads to life and peace. The last 
time our beloved friend spoke in the ministry at 
her own meeting, she addressed the young men 
particularly, and said that nothing would give 
her greater joy, now^, in the decline of life, than 
a firm belief that there would be raised up in 
that place a little army, who would stand as 
testimony bearers to the Truth, and she hoped 
there might be such raised up, who would be 
faithful to that cause which she most ardently 
loved, and which, though conscious of many 
short comings, she had endeavored to advocate 
and uphold. They were exhorted to keep in- 
w^ard and retired, and not allow the many dis- 
couraging things which surrounded, to have an 
undue influence on their minds. 

She ^vas often humbled under a consciousness 
of the infirmities and weaknesses incident to hu- 
man nature, and made sensible of her deficiencies 
in the sight of Infinite Purity ; she therefore felt 
the need of constantly watching unto prayer, 
craving preservation from day to day, and strength 
to overcome every obstacle in her heavenward 
journey. When drawing towards the close of 
life, she gaA^e expression to her feelings in the 
following impressive words : " I have not a wish 



ELIZABETH EVANS. 95 

to be elevated one step above the condition of a 
true and sincere beggar at the footstool of mercy 
and the throne of grace^ for I believe it is the 
only safe place for an immortal soul that is still 
clogged with the shackles of mortality, and beset 
with the temptations and buffetings of an un- 
wearied adversary. How good and how sus- 
taining it is to remember that we have an High 
Priest, Jesus Christ, the eternal Son and Sent of 
the Father, who is touched with the feeling of 
our infirmities, who was tempted in all points 
like unto us, yet without sin, and who is able 
and willing to succor all them that are tempted ; 
and who is our Advocate with the Father." 

During a number of the last years of her life, 
she was afflicted with disease which at times 
threatened serious consequences, but she did not 
allow her sufferings to interfere with a cheerful 
performance of her domestic and social duties, 
whenever able, nor to abate her deep interest in 
the welfare of our religious Society, nor lessen her 
anxiety to be found faithfully performing the 
work assigned her in the church of Christ. 
A short time before her decease, she accompanied 
her husband on a visit to a friend, near Salem, 
N. J., and to attend Salem Quarterly Meeting. 
In the meeting of Ministers and Elders, she said 
she had dwelt much on the language, ^^Men 



96 ELIZABETH EVANS. 

ought always to pray and not to faint." That 
while she had no unity with the spirit of activity 
w^hich w^as so much afloat in the present day, and 
which leads to the repetition of mere words, she 
believed the state of the church called for deep 
indwelling and travail of spirit before the Lord. 
To this she encouraged all, and expressed the 
belief that there w^ere some struggling ones, who 
were silently pleading, as at the Master's feet, 
for preservation, begging for themselves and for 
the church. That the Lord regards such as 
these, and would continue to regard them ; they 
wear the sackcloth underneath, and this is right, 
and that such were the salt of the earth. And 
although discouragement might so abound, that 
some who were thus exercised, might conclude 
they were of the hindermost of the flock, or 
might even doubt if they were of the flock of 
Christ at all, yet, as they struggled to maintain 
the warfare, preservation would be experienced : 
that it was in the night season Jacob wrestled 
with the angel, and it was declared of him, " As 
a prince hast thou power with God, and hast 
prevailed." She mentioned what a mercy it was 
that we have an High Priest w^ho is touched with 
a feeling of our infirmities, and that she wished 
to encourage all to persevere in this deep inward 
fervent prayer, believing that as such an exercise 



ELIZABETH EVANS. 97 

was maintained by those who mourned for the 
desolations of Zion, " Judges would be raised up 
as at the first^ and counsellors as at the begin= 
ning/' adding, " it is my firm faith and belief that 
it will be so, though I may not live to see it." 

Early in the following morning she was taken 
ill at the house of the friend where she was stay- 
ingj and quietly passed away, about an hour af= 
ter the commencement of the attack. She died 
in the 14th of the 11th month, 1861, in the six- 
ty-eighth year of her age. 

Having through Divine goodness and mercy 
been enabled to hold fast the faith and retain her 
integrity and love to her dear Redeemer to the 
solemn close of life, we have the consoling assu- 
rance, that, when thus suddenly called, she was 
found with oil in her vessel, and her lamp trim- 
med, prepared to go forth and meet the Bride- 
groom of souls ; — and, we may reverently believe, 
has been permitted in the Lord's mercy to enter 
into His everlasting kingdom of joy and peace. 

Signed by direction and on behalf of the 
Monthly Meeting, held 3rd month 25th, 1868. 



Charles J. Allen, ) ^j . 
Saeah D. Allen, ] ^^^'^^''^ 



98 WILLIAM EVANS. 

A Memorial of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of 
Philadelphia^ for the Southern District^ held Ninth 
month 2Srd, 1868. 

From a belief that much encouragement may 
be derived by survivors, from contemplating the 
consistent example of those who during a long 
life have been dedicated to the Lord's service^, 
and enabled through obedience to His Holy Spi- 
rit to promote the cause of truth and righteous- 
ness in the earth, we are engaged to preserve a 
memorial of our beloved friend William Evans. 

He was the son of our late valued friends Jon- 
athan and Hannah Evans, and was born in Phila- 
delphia the 5th day of the Tenth month, 1787; 
and during his whole life was a member of this 
Monthly Meeting. From memoranda which he 
states he believed it right to preserve of the 
Lord's dealings with him, it appears he was of a 
quick, lively disposition when young, and disin- 
clined to restraint, which increased as he grew 
older. The society of religious people was irk- 
some to him, and he sought the company of those 
whose passions and propensities, were unsubject- 
ed to the Cross of Christ. By pursuing this 
course he remarks, " Corruption strengthened, 
the innocency of childhood was tarnished, and my 
carnal appetites began to seek indulgences, totally 



i 



WILLIAM EVAKS. 99 

at variance with purity of heart, and that life 
which my parents earnestly labored to inculcate 
and keep their children in." 

While learning the business which he after- 
wards followed, he was exposed to many tempta- 
tions, being much separated from the care of his 
anxious and exercised parents, and subjected to 
intercourse with those who knew little or nothing 
of the work of religion. In this season of danger 
Divine mercy was extended to him^ and he was 
kept from falling into the evil habits and conver- 
sation of some of his young companions. 

It was the practice in his father s family fre- 
quently to read aloud in the Holy Scriptures, and 
the writings of Friends. On one occasion when 
collected for that purpose, he was brought into 
much contrition by reading William Leddra's 
epistle written the day before his execution. " It 
was," he says, " an extraordinaryvisitation of hea- 
venly love, the savor of which continued many 
days," producing a sense of his sinful, impure 
condition; and fervent desires were raised after 
holiness. '' The Light of Christ shone clearly 
into my heart," he remarks, "^ showing me that 
many of my habits were contrary to the Divine 
purity, and must be abandoned — that many of 
my words were light and unsavory, and a guard 
must be placed at the door of my lips. Love 



100 WILLIAM EVANS. 

flowed into my heart toward my gracious, Al- 
mighty Parent pre-eminently, and then towards 
all men as brethren and creatures of the same 
all-powerful Hand. I desired above all things 
to be with Jesus, and to know Him to continue 
with me, and at that time it seemed as if He did 
condescend to manifest himself in a clear manner, 
so that his countenance was lovely, and I walk- 
ed under his guidance and protection with great 
delight. It was the baptism unto repentance, 
the day of my espousals, the beginning of a new 
life ; and while favored with these heavenly feel- 
ings, I thought nothing would be too hard to part 
with in obedience to the will of my Saviour." 

He was at this period about seventeen years of 
age, and although he had set out in earnest to 
walk in the straight and narrow way, he found 
that his evil propensities were still strong, and 
his soul's enemy unwearied in endeavors to over- 
come him. For want of keeping on the watch, 
he yielded to temptation, and was thereby intro- 
duced into much conflict and distress, and made 
sensible of the Divine displeasure ; yet in the 
midst of judgment, the Lord remembered mer- 
cy, and through the operation of His blessed 
Spirit, brought him again to tenderness of heart, 
and humbled him under a sense of unworthiness 
of his condescension and love. 



WILLIAM EVAXS, 101 

About the twentieth year of his age, he ap- 
pears to have passed through many baptisms and 
mortifying dispensations^ doubtless designed for 
his purification and refinement. He also experi- 
enced seasons of Divine consolation^ wherein he 
says he was enabled to pour out his soul before 
the Lord, and fervently craved to be made one of 
his children, and to serve Him all the days of his 
life. At one period, when passing through a time 
of great seeming desertion, the enemy took advan- 
tage of his bereaved condition, and started the 
doubt whether Jesus Christ w^as his Saviour, and 
insinuated that he had never heard his voice. 

Not being able to feel that faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ which he thought he once possessed, 
" great distress and anxiety," he says, '^ came upon 
me. I searched the Holy Scriptures, and dili- 
gently read various religious works which I hop- 
ed would restore the lost pearl, but it was all in 
vain. I was utterly unable to regain my faith in 
Christ, which had been an anchor to my soul in 
many tossings and tempests." For a long time 
he was kept in this condition, until he ceased 
searching books or striving to satisfy himself by 
argument. "^^I looked up to my Heavenly Fa- 
ther," he remarks, " but all was hid from me, and 
I wondered how it was that I should be unable 
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who I had 



102 WILLIAM EVANS. 

been taught and never had doubted was the Sa- 
viour." Through this distressing conflict, he was 
kept steadfast and patient ; and one evening 
while walking out for meditation, Avith his mind 
turned towards the Lord, he says, " He whom 
my soul sought above all things, suddenly came 
to his temple, and by His Holy Spirit gave me 
to see that He alone is the author of that faith 
which entereth within the vail and giveth vic- 
tory over the world, the flesh, and the devil ; and 
that it is not founded merely on what is read, but 
is really of the operation of God on the heart. I 
rejoiced exceedingly and gave thanks to Him 
who is worthy of all praise and honor, and who 
will not give his glory to another. I could now 
firmly believe in the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, 
because of the renewed revelation of the Holy 
Spirit giving me that faith in Him, and through 
mercy I have never since been permitted to feel 
any doubt respecting his divinity, his mediation, 
or any of his offices in the redemption and sal- 
vation of man. I record this under a sense of my 
own nothingness, and for the purpose of exalting 
the glory of his grace, believing that the foun- 
dation of true gospel saving faith, is the immedi- 
ate manifestation of the Holy Spirit ; and it is 
this which draws the dedicated soul to Christ, 
and enables it to believe in Him savingly, to rely 



WILLIAM EVANS, 103 

upon and to follow Him as our Redeemer, and the 
Captain of our salvation." 

He referred to this dispensation later in life, 
as a peculiar favor and blessing ; and it was no 
doubt a means of preparing him firmly to defend 
the fundamental doctrine of the divinity of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, when in after years 
it was openly denied by many under our name, and 
also to preserve him from the error of regarding 
the Holy Scriptures as the origin and ground of 
that faith which comes only through the opera= 
tions of Divine Grace in the heart. '' The Scrip- 
tures," he remarks, " are an invaluable record of 
all those things most surely believed by the faith- 
ful followers of Christ, who have the opportunity 
of reading them ; but it is God alone, who can 
give true and saving faith in his beloved Son, and 
in the truths of the Gospel, and it is by his mer- 
cy we are preserved to the end in the possession of 
that faith." 

After commencing business on his own account, 
he had great fear of bringing a shade or reproach 
on the profession of the Truth, or upon our reli- 
gious Society ; and whenever anything presented, 
however profitable, which appeared to conflict 
with either, he felt most easy to decline engaging 
in it. His business was small, and on one occa- 
sion he was brought under concern lest it should 
9* 



104 WILLIAM EVAIS-S. 

not prove adequate to his necessities ; but his 
gracious Master condescended to show him that 
if he was faithful to his requirings, he should 
never want for food or raiment. " The language 
and impression was so clear/' he says, " humbling 
my heart before Him, that I believed his word ; 
and thereby proved that that faith of w^hich He is 
the author, is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen. My mind firm- 
ly and peacefully rested in it, as much as it would 
have done in an independent estate, although no 
change in my business very soon occurred." 

Not long afterwards an opportunity presented 
for engaging in more extensive business, and he 
felt strongly inclined to embrace it, especially as 
that which he was then pursuing had been seri- 
ously interfered with by the war, so that it ap- 
peared doubtful whether it would support his 
family. A secret uneasiness, however, attended 
his mind in reference to the change, and he re- 
marks — " my doubts increased, and one day sit- 
ting in our religious meeting, it plainly appeared 
to me that though the mind may be able to com- 
pass much, yet beyond its capacity it cannot go. 
If all its energies are enlisted in the concerns of 
the world, and their pressure is as great as it is 
capable of bearing, the all-important w^ork of re- 
ligion must be neglected." These impressions 



WILLIAM EVAIs^S. 105 

made him afraid to risk his everlasting salvation 
for the sake of worldly emolument, and led him 
to the conclusion that it would be safer for him 
to decline the offer; and when this was done his 
mind was made easy, and he was able to repose 
in humble confidence in Divine Providence ; " re- 
membering/' he says, " that the earth is the 
Lord's, and the cattle on a thousand hills, and He 
in inscrutable wisdom and kindness, will dispense 
Avhat He knows we need." Subsequent events, 
showed that if he had followed his own inclina- 
tion and judgment on the occasion referred to, 
he would probably have become involved in great 
embarrassment and anxiety, and perhaps been 
disqualified for that service in the Church which 
his Divine Master designed for him. 

In the 12th month, 1811, he was married to 
Deborah, daughter of Aaron and Abigail Mus- 
grave. This union did not long continue — his 
beloved wife being removed by death in the Sixth 
month, 1815. 

He had very clear openings into the character 
and qualifications of a minister of the Gospel, 
several years before he was called to the service 
himself. They produced the conviction that all 
who are rightly placed in that important office 
are made ministers by Christ, and that which 
they preach should be from the direct openings 



106 WILLIAM EVANS. 

and communications of His Spirit. '' These 
things/' he says, '' I was favored to see in the 
light of the Lord Jesus, and at times I felt as if 
I could stand forth as a servant under his au- 
thority, to proclaim the glad tidings of life and 
salvation, and gather souls in the gospel net/' 
Again he writes, '^ Neither the most extensively 
gifted nor those of the largest experience, have 
anything of their own to communicate which can 
really profit the people. All must reverently 
wait upon Him, without whom they can do noth- 
ing, and it is only as He opens the spring and 
causes it to flow afresh, that any, the least or the 
greatest, are authorized and qualified to attempt 
to minister to others." 

With these convictions of the solemnity and 
importance of the work he was called into, and 
prepared for by submission to the humbling pow- 
er of Truth, he first appeared in the ministry 
when accompanying his mother and another female 
minister on a religious visit to New England, in 
the year 1817, in a sitting in a family where they 
made their home. His belief of his call to this 
weighty service was renewed and much strength- 
ened by the public testimony of a beloved friend, 
when not long after he was brought under exercise 
at his own meeting, and on which occasion he 
yielded to the divine requiring. 



■\VILLIAM EVANS. XOT 

In the year 1820 he was attacked with yellow 
fever, and such was the violence of the disease, 
that there appeared little prospect of his recov- 
ery. " For several days during this sickness/' he 
remarks, ^' the beams of the Sun of righteousness 
were entirely withdrawn, and the sentence of 
death seemed to have gone forth. All my former 
experiences were perfectly obliterated, and there 
appeared nothing left upon which I could ground 
my hope of happiness." After some time his 
confidence in Divine mercy was gradually restor- 
ed—some passages of Scripture were opened, and 
the views he was again favo^d with of the hu- 
mility and purity indispensably necessary for a 
minister and servant of Christ, raised the belief 
that the Divine hand was still at work. The lan- 
guage that perhaps " this sickness was not unto 
death, but for the glory of God," raised a further 
hope, that he was not cast off, but that the Lord 
would again have mercy, and that it would prove 
the means of preparing him more acceptably to 
come up in his service. 

He was acknowledged as a minister in the 
Second month, 1822 ; and being preserved in a 
humble, watchful state of mind, depending upon 
Him who had conferred the gift, he was enlarged 
in divine knowledge and utterance. Being care- 
ful to wait for the fresh putting forth of the Good 



108 WILLIAM EVANS, 

Shepherd, his words were accompanied with life 
and power, rendering his ministry remarkably 
baptising and edifying. He was often led to dwell 
in his public communications upon the importance 
of attention to the guidance and teachings of the 
Holy Spirit, exhorting his hearers, with much 
fervency, to yield obedience to the Divine will 
manifested in the secret of the heart, and show- 
ing with clearness that the pathway to peace and 
happiness, was through the operation of the Cross 
of Christ. His appearances in prayer though not 
frequent in our religious meetings, were very 
weighty and impressive, and when so engaged he 
evinced much brokenness of spirit, manifesting 
his sense of the awfulness of that solemn engage- 
ment. 

His first religious visit with a minute, was to 
attend the Yearly Meeting held in Baltimore, in 
the year 1823. From that time to 1854 he was 
frequently engaged, with the unity of this Meet- 
ing, in religious service. During that period, he 
visited all the meetings of Friends in our own 
Yearly Meeting, and with few exceptions, those 
constituting the other Yearly Meetings in this 
country, and some of them several times. In 
returning the minutes granted, on the completion 
of these visits, he frequently acknowledged with 
much feeling, that in the prosecution of them he 



WILLIAM EVAXS. 109 

had mercifully experienced from season to season 
Divine help, qualifying him to perform the ser- 
vices to the relief and solid peace of his own 
mind. 

Being much redeemed from the love of the 
world, he was enabled to keep temporal things in 
their proper place, relying on the faithfulness of 
Him who had given him in early life the assur- 
ance he should not want for food and raiment. 
Although engaged in a business that depended 
for its success more than some others on close 
personal attention, yet he freely left it when 
called to go forth in his Master's service. 

He felt a lively interest in the guarded reli- 
gious education of the youth of our Society, and 
his services in promoting this important concern, 
were very valuable and highly appreciated by 
those associated with him in the management of 
schools. 

He was a practical believer in the necessity 
of waiting for and relying upon the openings 
of Truth, to qualify for right decisions in the 
Church; and being endued with a sound dis- 
criminating judgment, he was much occupied 
and very useful in attending to the affairs of the 
Society, and he filled for a considerable time 
several important stations. In reference to the 
necessity of silent waiting as a qualification for 



110 WILLIAM EVANS. 

religious service, he writes : — " There are many 
lessons to be learned in silence as well as in 
speaking ; and to be brought into a state of child- 
like docility and obedience to the leadings of our 
heavenly Shepherd, seems to be the principal end 
of all the dispensations of His wisdom. The 
haughtiness of man must be laid low, and the 
Lord alone exalted in that heart which is pre- 
pared to be acceptably engaged in his service. 
In a state of deep humility and patient waiting 
upon Him, we become prepared to discern the 
motions of His Spirit, and in simplicity to yield 
compliance therewith. There is as much need 
to learn to be still and to know the active, for- 
ward disposition of the human mind reduced to 
subjection, as there is to experience a willing- 
ness wrought to perform the Lord's will when it 
is manifested. He is a wise Master Builder, and 
if we abide under his preparing hand. He will 
fashion us into vessels and instruments for his 
use." 

Being grounded by heart-felt conviction in a 
belief of the authenticity and divine authority of 
the Holy Scriptures, the divinity of Christy and 
the efficacy of his propitiatory offering for the 
sins of the whole world, he was brought under 
much concern and exercise, in consequence of 
the attempts to invalidate these all important 



WILLIAM EVANS. Ill 

truths^ and he believed it to be his duty to stand 
firm in the support of them. In common with 
many faithful Friends, at a later period he was 
introduced into much sorrow and anxiety, at the 
unsettlement manifested by many in profession 
with the Society, and viewed with great concern 
the efforts which the adversary of all good was 
insidiously making to introduce new^ views and 
practices, and draw away the members from a 
consistent support of our ancient doctrines and 
testimonies. He was frequently engaged under 
deep religious feeling to point out the consequen- 
ces which must result from such departures ; and 
earnest were his exhortations to his fellow mem= 
bers to uphold the standard of Truth to which 
our early Friends were instrumental in gathering 
so many, illustrating by their holy lives and 
peaceful deaths, that they had not followed cun- 
ningly devised fables. 

In the Twelfth month, 1824, he was married 
to Elizabeth Barton, who was at that time and 
until the close of her life, a highly esteemed min- 
ister in our Society. She was a true help-meet 
to him, and tenderly sympathised with him in his 
exercises and trials, strengthened and encouraged 
him in the performance of his varied duties, and 
shared with him in godly concern and care for the 

preservation and true welfare of their children. 
10 



112 WILLIA.M EN'A.NS. 

In the Eleventh month, 1861, his beloved and val- 
uable wife was suddenl}^ removed by death. This 
solemn event plunged him into deep affliction, but^ 
an undoubted evidence was mercifully given him 
soon after his bereavement, that her redeemed 
spirit was partaking of the joys of God's salvation ; 
which, he writes, " raised thanksgiving to the Lord 
my God, who had been with me all my life long, fed 
me and kept me unto this day, in the hope that He 
would still condescend to be with me, sustain my 
head above the billows, and keep me in the hol- 
low of his Omnipotent Hand, so that I may be 
enabled to fill up the measure of suffering and 
duty that He may still allot, and know all my 
sins to be forgiven, and my garments washed and 
made white in the blood of the Lamb, and be ac- 
cepted at the last by my gracious Redeemer." 

The shock given to his nervous system by 
this sudden and unexpyected event, was great and 
irreparable. His sight failed rapidly, and it was 
not long ere he w^as unable to see to read or to 
write. To one whose mind had always been ac- 
tive, and who had accustomed himself to employ 
much time in the use of the pen, or in the pe- 
rusal of works congenial with the tone of his 
thoughts and feelings, this was a privation keen- 
ly felt. But as he was thus cut off from some 
outward sources of mental enjoyment, his atten- 



WILLIAM EVANtS. Hg 

tion was more and more withdrawn from exter- 
nal things, and in reverent retirement centered 
on th^ inward manifestations of the Holy Spirit. 
In this deep introversion he was often brought 
into low places and close searching of heart ; 
producing very humiliating views of himself, of 
his attainments in the v>^ay of holiness, and of his 
faithfulness in occupying the gifts, and making a 
right return for the manifold mercies bestowed 
upon him. Not, as he said, that he found any- 
thing laid to his charge, or that there was any 
known duty which he had refused to perform ; 
but such was his sense of the frailty of human 
nature, and the awfulness of the soul, when un- 
clothed of mortality, being ushered into the im- 
mediate presence of infinite and immaculate Puri- 
ty, that he felt there could be no hope for him, 
nor for any, but as in immeasurable condescen- 
sion, an undoubted assurance was granted of ac- 
ceptance through that Saviour who died for poor 
lost man, and whose mercy covered the judg- 
ment seat. 

Although much restricted by want of sight, and 
the continued though gradual decline of strength, 
from going far from home, he frequently attended 
different meetings in the city, and occasionally 
visited one or more in the country, at no great 
distance. It was always a source of satisfaction 



114 WILLIAM ^VAX^. 

to him thus to mingle with his friends, to unite 
with them in waiting on the Lord, and in seek- 
ing for ability to render to Him acceptable wor- 
ship in spirit and in truth. He was preserved 
in watchfulness over himself, and under an abid- 
ing concern that in his declining years he might 
do nothing that would bring a shade over the 
blessed cause he had so long espoused. His 
ministry, though not frequent, continued to be 
lively and weighty ; sometimes inviting the 
young to take the yoke of Christ upon them, so 
that they might secure the proper enjoyment of 
the things of this world, and a well grounded 
hope of admittance into the company of saints 
and angels hereafter; and calling on his fellow 
members not to rest satisfied with anything short 
of complete sanctification ; that being grafted 
into Christ, the living Vine, they might be made 
fruit-bearing branches, and through the renewings 
of the Holy Ghost, bring forth much fruit, to the 
glory of God the Father, 

In the flowings of gospel love towards his fel- 
low men, and especially towards those of the 
same household of faith, he often expressed 
his fervent desire for their establishment and 
growth in the unchangeable Truth ; on several 
occasions remarking he felt that if he had but 
bodily ability, and it was his Master's will, he 



WILLIAM EVAXS. 115 

could cheerfully go forth once more through the 
Society, to preach the glad tidings of salvation. 

As disease took stronger hold of his system, his 
breathing became much affected, and in the win- 
ter of 1866-67, he was unable for many days 
together to bear a recumbent position, so that it 
was difficult for him to obtain refreshing sleeps 
or to procure rest for his weary frame. His 
suffering, which was often great, was borne with- 
out complaint or murmur, often remarking that 
though he found the infirmities of the flesh as 
much as he could well endure, they were doubt- 
less permitted in Divine wisdom, and were in- 
tended for his further refinement. 

During his long confinement he continued to 
maintain a lively interest in the welfare of our 
religious Society, manifesting on different occa- 
sions the earnest travail of his soul that Friends 
might be drawn more nearly together in the love 
of the gospel, and be willing faithfully to support 
the doctrines and testimonies, which he believed 
• the great Head of the Church had raised up the 
Society to exemplify to the world. He was fre- 
quently visited by many of his beloved fellow 
members, ministers and oihers, and many precious 
opportunities were thus afforded for retirement 
before the Lord, and not unfrequently he was 

clothed with ability to minister to those present^ 
10* 



116 AVILLIAM EVAXS.. 

as were others to speak in th^anguage of comfort 
and encouragement to him, On more than one oc- 
casion he expressed his earnest desire that nothing 
might be said by any by way of commendation, 
nor^ unless they felt divinely authorised ;, speak as 
though his salvation was secured^ for he felt that 
the watch and the warfare must be continued to 
the end, if the crown immortal was through 
mercy obtained. Notwithstanding these humble 
views of himself, and the care manifested not to 
presume on any past experiences, he on more 
than one occasion intimated that his gracious 
Master had given him an assurance that when 
done with time he would be admitted into ever- 
lasting rest. 

During the time of holding the Yearly Meet- 
ing in the Fourth month, 1867, he was frequent- 
1}^ brought under much exercise. The separation 
from his friends when thus gathered to transact 
the affairs of the Church, a work which had long 
been dear and deeply interesting to him, was 
keenly felt ; but was borne with patience and 
resignation. At different times his spirit was 
bowed in sympathy with his brethren, earnestly 
desiring that the various important subjects be- 
fore the meeting, might be resulted under the 
authority of Truth, and rejoicing when he heard 
of seasons of Divine favor being granted to the 
assembly. 



WILLIAM EVANS. 117 

The gradual aggravation of the symptoms of 
his disease continued, there being increased fee- 
bleness of the circulation and altaost constant 
difficulty of breathing. During the last few days 
of his lifcj he conver^"ed very little, not only be- 
cause the oppression made it difficult for him to 
speak, but his mind appeared to be fixed in the 
contemplation of the change that awaited him, 
and in being fervently engaged to be found ready 
when the summons came. 

His decease took place on the morning of the 
Twelfth of Fifth month, 1867; his redeemed 
spirit gently and peacefully leaving its suffering 
tenement oj clay. 

" Blessed are tlK3 dead which die in the Lord 
from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they 
may rest from their labors, and their works do 
follow them." ^ 



1 1 g IIAXNAH GIBBONS. 

Testimony of Birmingham Monthly Meeting^ held the 
27th of First months 1869, concerning our late 
friend^ Hannah Gibbons. 

To commemorate the condescending goodnes.s 
and power of our Heavenly Father in raising up 
from time to time, bright examples of Christian 
purity and meekness, and for the encouragement 
and instruction of those who are to follow after, 
we feel engaged to preserve a record of the life 
and experiences of our late beloved friend Han- 
nah Gibbons. 

She was the daughter of Joshua and Mary 
Pusey, valued members of London Grove Meet- 
ing, Chester County, Pennsylvania ; and was 
born the Eighth of Second month, 1771. 

In some memoranda of her early religious im- 
pressions, she writes : " Being made sensible of 
the visitations of our Heavenly Father's love, 
which were very precious to me, I was led to 
desire a continuance of them, and a sense was 
given me, if I did not strive to be a good child I 
should not be thus favored. As I advanced in 
years I was often tempted to deviate from the 
^ straight and narrow way,' and as often was 
brought under condemnation, though no one knew 
it, but Him who in mercy had administered it. 
After I grew to womanhood, I met with disap- 



1IA>"XAH GIBBUXS. 519 

pointments and cross occurrences which greatly 
humbled me^ and tended to break down my strong 
will ; so that I w^as as one chastened of the Lord ; 
under which the language of my heart at times 
was, " Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned, for 
Thou art the Lord my God." In this humiliating 
season it was given me to believe that my Hea- 
venly Father would require me to open my mouth 
in his cause among the people ; which was very 
weighty to me, and gladly would I have felt ex- 
cused from such a prospect." 

It was about the twenty-sixth or twenty-se- 
venth year of her age that she first appeared as a 
minister, whilst accompanying a Friend on a visit to 
the families of her own Monthly Meeting ; in the 
course of which visit she says, '' I felt constrain- 
ed, I trust by the power of Divine love, to bend 
the knee in my first appearance, and vocally to 
supplicate the Father of mercies for the blessing 
of preservation, and that He would be pleased to 
enable us, of the younger class, to be faithful unto 
Him. " After this," she continues, " I ventured to 
open my mouth a few times, and afterwards was 
favored, I trust I may say, with a degree of 
holy quiet." 

In the year 1801, she was united in marriage 
with WiUiam Gibbons of Lancaster County, and 
soon after became a member of Sadsbury Month- 



120 liA.WVAH CIBBONS. 

ly Meeting; by Avhich she was^ in 1805, reconi- 
Hiended as a minister of the gospel. In relation 
to this important event, she says in her journalj 
" My mind being frequently brought under ex- 
ercise, respecting my religious duty, and often, 
' when I would do good evil was present with 
me,' it occasioned great conflict of spirit ; but as 
there was a seeking for patience, the language of 
mv heart at seasons, was, ' Thanks be to God 
who hath given us the victory through our Lord 
Jesus Christ/ " In the prosecution of her reli- 
gious labors, she was frequently engaged in the 
arduous service of visiting families, both within 
the limits of her own, and other Monthly Meet- 
ings. In relation to such visits she writes : " Al- 
though attended by close and deep searching of 
heart, yet I may say my secret desire has been, 
to do the will of my Heavenly Father, without 
mixture of the creaturely part. Gracious Fa- 
ther ! be pleased to keep me near unto Thee, lest 
while I am preaching to others, I myself should 
become a castaway." 

During the year 1826, our dear friend passed 
through close trials, in the death of two sons and 
a step-daughter ; a short time previous to the 
decease of one of these, (a son in his twenty -first 
year,) she had obtained a minute to visit Balti- 
more Yearly Meeting, and not feeling released 



HA>s ^ AH (^ I B B< > N s. 121 

from the prospect, she says, ^' Next day after his 
remains were laid ia the silent grave, I left 
home, and although I parted with my dear hus- 
band under much trial, my mind was sustained 
in quiet trust, and that ev^ening the language 
sweetly rcAdved, ^ Great peace have they who 
love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them.' " 

Under date of Ninth month, 1827, she writes^ 
'^ In the morning my mind being exercised, I was 
drawn into retirement, and after some time, a 
comfortable feeling was experienced, wherein I 
remembered how it was with Jacob, when on his 
way to Padan-Aram, he thus expressed, ' Surely 
this is none other but the house of God, and this 
is the gate of Heaven,' and a renewed covenant 
was entered into, that if He would be with me in 
the way I should go, He should be my God and 
I would serve Him." 

Second month 28th, 1832. " I have passed a 
trying winter on account of the indisposition, and 
decease of my dearly beloved husband, which 
took place the 16th of last month; yet the time 
has not been spent without seasons of sweet 
consolation, which I trust have been afforded by 
the Author of all good : may I continue to com- 
memorate His mercies." 

Eleventh month 26th, she writes : " My mind 
having for a few days past been brought under 



122 HANNAH GIBBONS, 

exercise and trial, mental breathing was felt this 
morning to the God and Father of my life, after 
which the consoling language was afforded, ' Leave 
the things that are behind in the hands of a mer- 
ciful Creator, press forward, and as thou carefully 
eyes thy Guide, He will be with thee even unto 
the end, and give thee an admittance into his 
heavenly mansion ;' at which my soul was satis- 
fied, and this language arose, ' Blessed be the 
God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the Heaven in 
thy help, and in his excellency on the sky; 
May my soul bless his holy name." Again, 
^^ these consoling words levived, ' I am He, and 
there is no other ; I am first and last ; thy sins 
have been washed away in the atoning blood of 
the Lamb.'" 

After a visit to some who had violated the dis- 
cipline of the Society, she writes : " The language 
of my heart often is, Oh ! the weightiness of 
dealing with off'enders in the spirit of meekness 
and wisdom, attended with desires, that it may 
not become a light matter to any so engaged." 

Tenth month. " Prayers have ascended to the 
Father of mercies, that He may be pleased to 
pass by all my omissions and commissions, and 
that which has been too much in the mixture, and 
enable me to walk more consistent with the Gos- 
pel of His dear Son, Christ Jesus our Lord. Be- 



HA:N^:NrAii gibbons. ]23 

iag fully sensible that any efforts to promote his 
righteous cause unaided by Him^ will be fruitless 
and unavailing." 

On recovering from severe illness, Ninth months 
1838. — ^' In the prospect of returning health my 
desire is to be so engaged as to be prepared for 
the clean linen pure and white, which is the right- 
eousness of saints, and it hath renewedly appear- 
ed to me this morning, that those who are en- 
gaged in the Lamb's warfare, have many seasons 
of conflict and close proving to pass through ; 
but I renewedly believe, that those w^ho are en- 
deavoring in sincerity to be members of the true 
Church, in the present day, will experience from 
season to season, that the power of the High and 
Holy One is over the power of the subtle ene- 
my, in all his devices, and that He who can alone 
bruise the serpent's head, will in his own time, 
put the armies of the aliens to flight, and enable 
his suppliant seed to journey forward in the line 
of Divine appointment." 

In the fore part of 1841, she removed to reside 

within the limits of Darby Monthly Meeting ; in 

view of which she writes : " There are many 

causes for exercise ; a deep scrutiny is often felt 

on my own account, and sometimes I feel al= 

most overwhelmed. Holy Father! Thou who art 

strength in weakness, be pleased to o;uide and 
11 



124 HANNAH GIBBONS. 

keep me^, even unto the end of my pilgrimage^ 
and not suffer the enemy of all righteousness to 
come in as a flood, for Thou art able to cast him 
down." 

1842, " It is a time in our Society wherein 
there is much cause for exercise to the living 
members; I believe there is a spirit at work 
which would draw some away from the spiritual- 
ity of that, which they have once known, and 
many seem caught with it. Oh ! that the true 
burden bearers may be sustained by the power 
of His might, who alone is able to strengthen 
them to bear the burdens of the present day, occa» 
sioned by a busy, active spirit, having found its 
way into our Society, tending to divide in Jacob, 
. and scatter in Israel." 

After making some visits to individuals, and 
distributing some rehgious tracts, services to 
which she was frequently drawn, she says : 

" These comparatively small acts of apprehend- 
ed duty, are humiliating, and I have earnestly 
desired to be preserved from kindling a fire in 
my own wisdom, and warming myself by the 
sparks thereof, lest I should have to lie down in 
sorrow." 

1845. " I often feel the present to be a day 
of trial, yea, of much shaking in our Society ; 
Be pleased. Oh ! Father of mercies, to continue 



HANNAH GIBBONS. 125 

to shake us^ until that which is offensive to Thee 
may be removed, and that which cannot be shak- 
en may remain, and through the power of thy 
love, grow brighter and brighter ; that the ever 
blessed Truth may shine more conspicuously 
among us as a people, even as in ancient purity." 

1847. " The desire of my heart is, that those 
who have been captivated, and their spiritual 
vision dimmed, by leaning, as I apprehend, to the 
natural part, may be willing to be searched and 
tried by the light of Truth, and so humbled as to 
be prepared to unite with their friends, who are 
endeavoring to support our once favored Society, 
on its ancient foundation." 

Never having felt her present residence a set- 
tled home; in the Seventh month, 1848, she re= 
moved to West Chester, whereupon she becam_e 
a member of this Monthly Meeting. The lan= 
guage of her heart upon this prospect was :— 
^^^Send out thy light, and thy truth, Oh! Lord, 
and let them lead us,' guide us according to thy 
blessed will in this weighty prospect.'' Previous 
to removing her certificate however, she visited 
in gospel love, Ohio Yearly Meeting. 

In the Third month, 1848, she attended three 
of the meetings in Philadelphia, of which she 
says, " In all of them it seemed my place, accord^ 
ing to my little ability, to suffer with the suffer- 



126 HAN^"AH GIBBONS. 

ing seed in silence : I believe there is a desire in 
many to hear words, and I fear in some, through 
an unsanctified zeal, to express them; Oh! what 
darkness does a lifeless ministry bring over a 
meeting, and heavy burdens to the living mem- 
bers." 

In the eightieth year of her age, our dear friend 
set out, with the sanction of her Monthly and 
Quarterly Meetings, to visit the meetings of Red- 
stone, Salem, and Shortcreek Quarterly Meetings, 
branches of Ohio Yearly Meeting ; of which she 
says : ^^In the course of this journey, my mind 
was often secretly drawn forth in tender solici- 
tude on behalf of our dear young Friends, and 
frequent opportunities occurred to encourage them 
not to look outward, but to have their minds 
turned inward, to the alone Source of help and 
strength, whereby they might come to experience 
an establishment on the Rock which never fail- 
eth." 

At several difterent periods of her life, our be= 
loved friend was engaged in visiting prisons, and 
prisoners, most of the latter being under sentence 
of death for murder. " After one of these visits/' 
she writes, ^' Oh ! how my my mind craved that 
they might be redeemed from all iniquity, and 
brought into a state of acceptance in the Divine 
sight, remembering that the mercy of the Most 



High^ covers his judgment seat/' In the eighty- 
third year of her age, after being engaged in re- 
ligious service in her own meeting, she says : 
"On my return home, T was beset with doubts 
and fears, lest there had been a moving in the 
awful work without sufficient evidence of its be= 
ing a Divine requiring, under the exercise where= 
of, I could appeal to the Searcher of hearts, 
^ Thou knowest I have ?^6'^^/3r ventured to speak 
in thy name, without believing it to be required 
by Thee, unfit and unworthy as I am ;' after 
which my mind became more quiet, in believing 
that these conflicting, searching seasons, were de- 
signed for my deepening in the root of life/' 

On another occasion after attending a funeral^ 
she says : " It was a serious time, w^herein the 
necessity of being ready for the like solemn change^ 
was deeply impressed on my mind, and it seem_= 
ed best for me to call the attention of the people 
to this all-important concern ; and Oh ! may I, 
on every succeeding occasion, when apprehend- 
ing myself called upon to speak in the name of 
the Most High, let the solemn query come close 
home, is ' Woe unto me if I preach not the Gos= 
pel?'" On completing her eighty-seventh year, 
she writes again, '^ Oh ! the weightiness of speak- 
ing in the name of the Lord ! It has felt increase 

ingly awful to me of latter time." 
11^ 



128 HANNAH GIBBONS. 

In the First month, 1857, she was taken ill. 
At different times during this illness she express- 
ed, as follows : '' I think I feel no condemnation ; 
I have had many struggles, many secret conflicts, 
known onl}^ to Him, who knoweth the secrets of 
all hearts. My way of getting along has been 
a little way — a one talent — but as that has been 
improved, the penny has been given. I think I 
feel an assurance, that the Arms of Mercy are 
open to receive me." 

On the morning of Second month 10th, she 
requested her children to sit down in her cham- 
ber, and after a little silence, she said, " My as- 
pirations on your behalf have been frequent and 
fervent, — indeed I may say you are the children 
of many prayers ; but, as ' no man can redeem his 
brother, or give to God a ransom for him,' I want 
each of you to seek the Truth for yourselves. 
If you live, you will have many conflicts, many- 
trials, and may at times be ready to conclude 
you are forsaken, — seasons of this kind are per= 
mitted for our refinement, and self-abasement ; but 
' He who knoweth our frame, and remembereth 
we are dust,' will not suifer his seeking children 
to be tried above what He will enable them to 
bear, — His name is a strong tower, whereunto the 
righteous run, and find safety." At another 
time; ^^It is the hidden life the enemy seeks to 



HAXIS-AH GIBBONS. 129 

destroy, and is unwearied in his endeavors^ but 
what a mercy it is, that ' He that is in you, is 
greater than he that is in the world/ I have 
lived many days, and experienced many conflicts, 
and though I have done little for the Truth, if I 
have been preserved from marring it, it is of His 
mercy in whom is all our strength." 

After a time of deep exercise, she continued, 
'' It was brought to my remembrance, that the 
candlesticks in the Lord's house, w^ere to be made 
of beaten gold ; implying that the w^ork of pre- 
paration for his service must be thorough'' 

On hearing of a Friend being exercised in the 
Select Yearly Meeting, on the subject of silent, 
reverential waiting, and recommending it as one 
of our peculiar privileges, she said, " It did me 
good to hear it ; Oh ! this is w^hat we want as a 
Society, silent w^aiting before the Most High ! 
This tvordy spirit which is among us, I don't 
know what it will come to ; and yet, I would 
not check the lisping of a babe in Christ Jesus." 

Alluding to the Yearly Meeting, she said : ^' I 
think I saw with undoubted clearness, that if 
Friends gathered under feelings of reverence, and 
holy fear, and if what was expressed w^as under 
the same holy influence, it would have a tenden- 
cy to gather ; but if the wisdom of man gets up, 
striving to do a great deal, it will make scatter- 



130 HANIS-AH CrlBBOlS^S. 

ing work ; it is only that which comes from 
above can gather there. Oh ! that the great 'I 
Am/ may govern." 

Eighth month, 2nd. ^* And now being so far 
recovered as to be able to sit up, the frequent 
breathing of my spirit is, to the Father of Mer- 
cies, that He would be pleased to keep me from 
evil, in thought, word, or deed ; feeling increas= 
ingly the need of watchfulness unto prayer, that 
I may be preserved from bringing dishonor on 
the blessed Truth." In her ninety-first year, she 
writes : ^' The present is a day of close trial, and 
searching of heart to those, who are concerned for 
the welfare of our religious Society, in its pre- 
sent unsettled state ; yet a hope at times arises 
that as those who are concerned to maintain it 
on its ancient foundation, keep steadfast, through 
Holy Help, there tvill^ in the Lord's time, be a 
gathering unto them, and our poor Society be 
favored with increasing settlement, and know an 
arising, as in ancient beauty." 

Eleventh month, 1860. '-' Being renewedly 
made sensible that we cannot preserve ourselves, 
the excellency of retiring often, to wait upon the 
Lord for the renewal of our strength, was impres- 
sively brought before me, attended with desires, 
that not only the beloved youth, but we who are 



HAITNAH GIBBONS. igX 

more advanced in life, might be frequently in the 
practice of it." 

In the fore part of 1862, she was again taken 
ill, and her recovery appeared doubtful. At one 
time she said : " I think it is aii awful thing to 
die ; I have often looked over the leaves of my 
life, and think I may say, I feel nothing in my 
vvay, which is surely of the Lord's mercy ; some- 
times I seem left to myself, and then I cannot so 
well bear my sufferings. As day and night suc- 
ceed each other in the outward creation, so do 
they in our spiritual experience ; patience seems 
sometimes almost ready to fail, and there is 
scarcely any ability to ask for more ; at other 
times, (I hope it is not too much for me to say,) 
I am comforted with heavenly good, and the pro= 
mise, ' I have graven thee on the palms of my 
hands,' &c., is remembered to my consolation.'' 

On recovering from this illness, she writes : 
" It is unexpected, and not desirable to me to 
be even thus far restored to health and strength ; 
yet crave to be preserved in patience, ' till He 
who giveth life is pleased to take it.' " 

In her ninety-third year, she paid a visit to a 
military encampment ; of which she says : ^^ Af- 
ter passing a season of close exercise in the pros= 
pect, I went in company with other Friends, and 
saw such as were willing, or at liberty to gather 



132 HAKKAH GIBBONS. 

round us ; and although sadness covered my spi- 
rit on beholding them, yet I was favored to get 
through the weighty service to my humbling ad= 
miration; may all the praise be given to Him, 
to whom alone it belonsfs." 

" About this time/' she writes, -^ Feeling my 
mind exercised, and tried with doubts and fears, 
lest I may through inadvertency, have cast a 
stumbling block in the way of any, the secret 
breathing of mj^ spirit is, that more carefulness, 
more watchfulness, even unto prayer, may be 
maintained, that so more purity of heart may be 
experienced ; and may'st Thou, Oh ! Father who 
art in Heaven, condescend to be a light to my 
feet, and a lamp to my path, and enable me to 
follow Thee whithersoever thou art pleased to 
lead me ; ' Cast me not off in the time of old age, 
forsake me not when my strength faileth.' " 

On the 27th of Second month, 1864, she had 
a slight paralytic affection, by which she was 
mostly confined to bed the remainder of her life ; 
a period of more than four years. When in much 
pain she said, ^^ If these ' afflictions, which are but 
for a moment, work out for us a far more exceed= 
ing and eternal weight of glory,' what a mercy 
it will be. My great desire is, to wait the Lord's 
time, and that I may not cast away the shield of 
faith." 



hajS-nah gibbons. 133 

Daring the late war, she remarked : " This 
grievous war is very distressing to my feelings ; 
brother arrayed against brother. Oh! how often 
do I desire that the Lord would turn the hearts 
of the people to Himself, even as a man turneth 
a watercourse in his field ; that wars and fightings 
may cease, and peace be restored to our once 
peaceful land." 

She alluded to the comfort of having religious 
sympathizing friends to visit her, but desired 
more and more to be in the quiet, saying : " I 
love the quiet habitation." '^ I have remember- 
ed, ' whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth;' I seem 
chastened, but I trust it is all in mercy, for my 
refinement and purification; and if I am only 
ready for the call, it will be through the mercy 
of God in Christ Jesus." She spoke, as she fre- 
quently had done, ^^ of the privilege of attending 
religious meetings, and greatly desired our young 
people might value these opportunities, that they 
might embrace the visitations of Heavenly love 
and mercy, and regard them with reverence and 
holy fear." Again, " I often think at the close 
of the day, whether it has been spent in a man- 
ner consistent with a disciple of Jesus Christ ; I 
think it is my daily desire to live, so as to have 
the approbation of Him who seeth not as man 
seeth," 



134 HANNAH aiBBONS. 

When suffering from great distress, she said : 
'" Why am I so long detained here ; may I be 
strengthened to bear all, as I ought. Not my 
will, Oh ! Lord, but thine be done ; be pleased 
to revive my faith." 

Third month, 186 7, feeling unusually weak and 
prostrated, she said : " It seems an intimation to 
prepare for the close. May the Lord sustain me 
unto the end, and my dear children also." Sub- 
sequently, on parting with one of her children, 
she revived the language : " Farewell my dear 
child, do not let the good things of this life choke 
the better seed. Perhaps I may never see thee 
again. My hope and trust is in Jesus Christ my 
Saviour." 

She passed the winter of 1867-68, in better 
health than usual, but often suffered from weari- 
ness and nervous restlessness, particularly at 
night. Her desire for patience, to wait the Lord's 
time for her release, was often expressed, as also 
her blessings recounted ; a deep, and almost abid- 
ing sense of her own unworthiness attended, and 
the expression that she had nothing to trust to, 
but the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, was fre- 
quently repeated. 

Our valued friend was dihgent in the atten- 
dance of meetings, and useful in the administra- 
tion of the discipline, to a very late period of life. 



HAKNAH GIBBONS. 135 

In meeting, her solid deportment was instructive ; 
her ministry sound and edifying. In social in- 
tercourse she was remarkable for christian cour- 
tesy, and kindness towards all ; cheerful in spi- 
rit, patient under affliction, clear in judgment, 
preserved in great humility, she was green in old 
age ; and the influence of her gentle spirit was 
comforting to others. 

During her last illness, (of just one week,) her 
mind wandered at times, but had intervals of 
brightness thoughout. At one time she said, " She 
hoped her ' iniquities and shortcomings would be 
forgiven, and remembered no more.' " 

When suffering from pain and oppression, she 
desired to be " preserved from a murmuring 
spirit," and enabled to adopt the language : 
" Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." 

On Fourth day night, she supplicated : " ' Thy 
kingdom come. Thy will be done,' /or^2;^r, and 
forever^ and forever T The belief being expressed, 
that when the summons came, it would be joyful 
to her, she replied : " I think I may say I have 
a hope that when done with the things of time, I 
shall be admitted into the ' assembly of the just 
of all generations.' " 

At another time, '' Oh ! Lord, my only helper, 

keep and preserve my soul, I pray Thee, lest 

after all I have known of Thee, I slide, as many 
12 



J36 HANNAH GIBBONS. 

have slidden, from the path of thy holy com- 
mandments." Fifth day, the last of her life, 
was one of great weakness and suffering ; she ex- 
pressed much, but articulation had become so dif- 
ficult, little could be understood. In the evening 
she said something about being released, and 
" Why do I linger," and a little after, " I am such 
a poor creature." Her strength was now fast de- 
clining, and about eleven o'clock in the evening, 
her weary, waiting spirit was gently released from 
its suffering tenement, and we cannot doubt, was 
permitted to enter that rest so often longed for. 

She deceased the 2nd of Fourth month, 1868, 
in the ninety-eighth year of her age, and sixty- 
third of her ministry. 

« Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall 

see God." 



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